Stephen Colbert reveals ‘The Late Show’ will end in 2026 as CBS cancels show: 'This is just going away'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert opened Thursday night’s episode of ‘The Late Show’ with an emotional announcement.

CBS will officially end the long-running late night program in May 2026. The revelation came as a shock not just to fans, but to Colbert himself, who said he had only learned the news the night prior.

Stephen Colbert confirms end of ‘The Late Show’ in 2026

“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night,” Colbert told his studio audience. “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May.”

The audience’s loud cheers of boos were met with a bittersweet smile from Colbert, who highlighted their dismay. “Yeah, I share your feelings,” he responded. “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

The host expressed deep gratitude for the past decade. 

“And I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. I’m so grateful to the Tiffany Network for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home. And of course I’m grateful to you, the audience, who have joined us every night in here out there all around the world,” he added.

CBS pulls plug on ‘The Late Show’ just days after Stephen Colbert slammed network's Trump deal as ‘bribe’

CBS attributed the cancellation to “financial reasons,” but the decision came shortly after Stephen Colbert criticized the network. Just days before the cancellation was announced, Colbert called out CBS and Paramount’s $16 million legal settlement with President Donald Trump, describing it on-air as a “big fat bribe” connected to the company’s pending merger with Skydance.

In a joint statement released Thursday, top CBS and Paramount executives described Colbert as “irreplaceable” and said the network will retire the Late Show franchise after his departure.

“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time,” said CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, CBS Studios president David Stapf, and Paramount Global Co-CEO George Cheeks.

“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.”

“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 statement continued.

Despite CBS’s insistence that the decision was purely financial, multiple CBS insiders told The Independent they aren’t convinced. One senior staffer said no one at the network is “buying that it’s a financial decision,” even acknowledging the show’s high production costs. “Everyone is stunned,” the insider added, including “famous comedians” who had heard the news.

Others within the network noted the show had been “on the chopping block” for years, largely due to budget constraints, but suggested the final decision’s timing was suspicious.

Internet in shock after CBS confirms ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ will end in 2026

CBS has officially confirmed that ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ will come to an end in 2026. The announcement, which quickly went viral, triggered an emotional wave across social media, with longtime viewers mourning the loss of one of late night’s most beloved hosts.

One emotional user shared their firsthand account, “I was just there in the audience. Mrs Colbert was crying and it took Stephen a few tries to get this out. Hate this. Hate it, hate it, hate it.”

Another wrote, “Everyone will follow you to wherever you end up. CBS’s loss.”

As fans processed the shock, some speculated about political and corporate motivations behind the decision.

“Was this part of CBS/Paramount’s deal with Trump?” one user questioned.

Another user passionately defended the show's cultural impact with one saying, “Not only is this a travesty, but this show has been a pillar of democracy and freedom in the US for decades. This is an attack on freedom of speech.”

“This is completely wild and absurd to me!! He is THE best!!! What a terrible decision. Thank you, Stephen, for your greatness!!!” one user penned.

One bluntly lamented, “Worst decision in television history ever by CBS. I am immensely thankful for Stephen Colbert, the Late Show Band, and all the writers and staff on the show. But this decision is unacceptable. May Skydance go bankrupt. They’re throwing away one of their best assets.”

And some viewers made their intentions clear with one user writing, “Never watching CBS AGAIN.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.