Why Was The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Canceled? The Real Reason

Late night television is going through major changes in 2025.CBS confirmed that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end next year, just weeks after Stephen Colbert picked up another Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series.

Over at ABC, Jimmy Kimmel also added to his résumé with a Creative Arts Emmy win for Outstanding Host for a Game Show thanks to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.But his celebration was short-lived — ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended indefinitely following backlash over Kimmel’s recent on-air remarks about the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing.

As viewers come to terms with Colbert’s looming exit and Kimmel’s show being pulled from the schedule, questions are swirling about the future of late night and what might come next.Below, Hollywood Life has a breakdown of why The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is ending.

Was The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Canceled? Yes, CBS is canceling The Late Show franchise after more than three decades on the air.Stephen took over the show in 2015, and it was originally hosted by David Letterman.

When Is The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Ending? The Late Show will end in May 2026, CBS executives announced on July 17, 2025.Why Is The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Ending? CBS decided to gut The Late Show with Stephen Colbert due to financial reasons, network executives explained in a statement released on July 17, 2025, obtained by Variety.

“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise in May of 2026,” CBS executives said.“We are proud that Stephen called CBS home.

He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.” The executives added, “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” The merger between Paramount ...