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The landscape of late-night television is experiencing considerable shifts in 2025. CBS has verified that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will cease production the subsequent year, only a few weeks after Stephen Colbert obtained yet another Emmy Award for Superior Variety Talk Series. Meanwhile, at ABC, Jimmy Kimmel also broadened his achievements with a Creative Arts Emmy triumph for Exceptional Host for a Game Show due to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. However, his celebration proved fleeting — ABC revealed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been put on hold for an indefinite period following the uproar generated by Kimmel’s recent on-screen comments regarding the individual suspected in Charlie Kirk’s homicide.
As viewers grapple with Colbert’s upcoming departure and the withdrawal of Kimmel’s program from the lineup, inquiries are abounding concerning the prospects of late night and its potential future.
Presented below, Hollywood Life provides a summary clarifying the basis for the cessation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Was The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Canceled?
Indeed, CBS is terminating The Late Show brand after it has been on the air for exceeding three decades. Stephen took over the program in 2015; it was initially fronted by David Letterman.
When Is The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Ending?
The final broadcast of The Late Show will occur on May 21, 2026.
Why Is The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Ending?
CBS opted to eliminate The Late Show with Stephen Colbert owing to monetary considerations, as explained by network authorities in a declaration issued on July 17, 2025, and obtained by Variety.
“We regard Stephen Colbert as irreplaceable and will discontinue The Late Show series in May of 2026,” CBS representatives declared. “We take pride in the fact that Stephen regarded CBS as his professional base. He and the broadcast will hold a place in the annals of distinguished figures who have enhanced late-night television.”
The executives continued, “This is unequivocally a financial decision made in light of a demanding situation in late night. It bears no relation whatsoever to the program’s achievement, subject matter, or any other incidents occurring at Paramount.”
The merging of Paramount Global — the owning entity of CBS — and Skydance Media is anticipated to be finalized within the year.
Courtesy of Scott Kowalchyk ©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
Paramount has intensified its insistence that the cancellation of Stephen’s program was driven by budgetary matters. Notwithstanding criticism from Stephen himself, the network has stood by its justification, with Paramount Global TV Media Chairman George Cheeks offering further clarification on the matter.
“The difficulty in late night is that the advertising marketplace is witnessing a notable and persistent reduction,” George stated in an August 2025 press gathering, as reported by TV Insider. “We are ardent admirers of Colbert, we are fond of the program; regrettably, the economic realities rendered it challenging for us to sustain operations.”
However, as the year neared its conclusion, Paramount’s termination of The Late Show once again became a point of contention when Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison attempted to supersede Netflix’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Initially, Ellison proposed $108 billion to Warner Bros. and prolonged his endeavors to procure the enterprise.
Is Stephen Colbert Leaving The Late Show?
Stephen’s departure from The Late Show was not voluntary. The comedian was informed of CBS’ verdict on July 16, 2025, after which he conveyed this information to the audience during the subsequent episode’s recording.
What Is Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Salary?
Stephen reportedly received a compensation of around $15 million annually from CBS for his role as the host of The Late Show.