The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to end in 2026 – In a surprise development first reported by Deadline, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, as confirmed by CBS executives. The network said it will retire The Late Show franchise entirely, calling Colbert “irreplaceable” after more than a decade in the host’s chair.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,”
– CBS stated, insisting the move was unrelated to the show’s performance or recent controversies involving parent company Paramount Global.
Colbert confirmed the news during a taping, saying,
“I’m not being replaced — this is all just going away.”
The cancellation will have ripple effects beyond the U.S., including in Australia where The Late Show airs on Network 10. The departure leaves a major gap in late-night programming for Australian viewers who’ve followed Colbert since he took over from David Letterman in 2015.
The timing of the announcement is notable, with Colbert’s contract expiring at the end of 2026 and as Skydance Media moves closer to acquiring Paramount. The shake-up comes amid industry speculation, especially after Colbert recently criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement of a Donald Trump lawsuit — remarks that stirred political questions around the cancellation.
U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff even weighed in after taping with Colbert, posting on social media: “If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
With Jon Stewart set to stay on The Daily Show (airing on sister network Comedy Central) until the end of 2025, Deadline also speculated whether Colbert might be in line for a return to the program where he made his name.
The Late Show originally launched in 1993 with David Letterman, becoming a late-night staple. Its cancellation marks another hit to the genre, especially after CBS also axed After Midnight, leaving Taylor Tomlinson’s show without a successor.
Australian fans of Colbert — and late-night television — will be watching closely to see what fills the void on Network 10.
Link to 10 HERE
TV Central 10 content HERE
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to end in 2026
