Late Show ending May 2026

[Don CT]

Shocking news from CBS and Stephen Colbert

‘Late Show’ Shocker: CBS Ending Late-Night Franchise in 2026

Host Stephen Colbert announced the news during the taping of Thursday’s show.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[TheBigA]

Here's more:

Stephen Colbert's late-night show on CBS to end in May 2026

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS will end in May 2026 after the upcoming broadcast season, the network said on Thursday.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Don CT]

Here's more:

Stephen Colbert's late-night show on CBS to end in May 2026

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS will end in May 2026 after the upcoming broadcast season, the network said on Thursday.

www.yahoo.com

That might be the excuse but CBS is cutting corners. I wonder how many deals they back out of.

 

[IM42A]

The Hollywood Reporter story is behind a paywall. Here's the story from Variety:

CBS to Cancel ‘Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Citing ‘Financial Decision’

 

[nomadcowatbk]

What happens to the ES theater?

 

[Don CT]

What happens to the ES theater?

Historical Landmark. CBS could sell it but not much will happen to it.

 

[TheBigA]

What happens to the ES theater?

It's owned by Paramount. My bet is it gets sold. They've been selling a lot of CBS properties.

It's possible the property was part of why they made this decision.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Could Arsenio make a 2nd comeback in syndication?

 

[Don CT]

It's owned by Paramount. My bet is it gets sold. They've been selling a lot of CBS properties.

It's possible the property was part of why they made this decision.

I wonder what’s left of CBS in 3 years.

 

[TheBigA]

I wonder what’s left of CBS in 3 years.

My view is the only thing SkyDance wants is the Paramount studio and archives. So I expect the cable channels, CBS, and the stations get sold or spun off.

 

[Don CT]

My view is the only thing SkyDance wants is the Paramount studio and archives. So I expect the cable channels, CBS, and the stations get sold or spun off.

Can CBS survive without any owned content. Unless they leverage live sports.

 

[Loverofradio]

Yes while he and the Late Show will not be replaced, I don’t expect CBS to just let that slot sit empty.

 

[Don CT]

Yes while he and the Late Show will not be replaced, I don’t expect CBS to just let that slot sit empty.

And fill it with what? They are getting out of the late night game.

 

[crainbebo]

I'm actually not surprised, given broadcast TV is dying and the audience isn't there at 11:35 ET/PT anymore.
I expect 3/4ths of the affiliates will move to an hour of local news and then syndication or infomercials, or both.

 

[Loverofradio]

And fill it with what? They are getting out of the late night game.

I’ve got theories on why this move was made. But out of respect for this website and thread I will not discuss.

 

[Don CT]

I’ve got theories on why this move was made. But out of respect for this website and thread I will not discuss.

You could argue it’s political, and that might be the main reason masked as cost savings. Or it is cost savings and SkyDance is going to tank the network.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

This is utterly despicable by CBS. Let’s not pretend we don’t know what’s going on, though the apologists will certainly do their part.

 

[Don CT]

This is utterly despicable by CBS. Let’s not pretend we don’t know what’s going on, though the apologists will certainly do their part.

I agree the timing is suspect. They neutered the news division. Now they are after the entertainment division.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Colbert has joked often about the prevailing CBS audience demographics. He seemed well aware that there wasn't a great future in prospect. He's also 61 years of age.

This could be a cost-cutting move, or (inclusive or) it could be a move that tries to anticipate the political orientation of Skydance's owner. There has been a lot of speculation about that, centering on Colbert and on Jon Stewart. The timing of the announcement, ten months in advance, is also curious.

 

[Rusty Muck]

My view is the only thing SkyDance wants is the Paramount studio and archives. So I expect the cable channels, CBS, and the stations get sold or spun off.

Nexstar probably can't wait to get ahold of the CBS owned-stations like a dinosaur on a dying carcass.