Here’s the latest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, based on recent reporting up to May 2026.
- CBS announced in 2025 that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026, effectively retiring the Late Show franchise. The final episode is planned for May 2026, marking the end of the long-running late-night era for Colbert on CBS.[1][3]
- Colbert addressed the cancellation publicly in July 2025, joking about the network’s decision and thanking fellow late-night hosts for support as he continued hosting through the 2025–2026 season.[2]
- Following the writers’ strike and the broader late-night return period, Colbert’s show continued to air through the 2025–2026 season, including guest appearances and standard late-night format updates prior to its conclusion.[4][1]
- Coverage around the show’s end highlighted Colbert’s reflections on his career and the show’s place in late-night history, with industry outlets noting the significance of a top-rated program ending after more than a decade in the 11:35 p.m. slot.[4]
If you want, I can pull more specifics like the exact final air date, any announced post-show plans for Colbert, or notable guests scheduled for the final weeks. Would you like me to do that?
Citations:
- CBS News reporting the cancellation and planned May 2026 end date.[3][1]
- Colbert’s public remarks after the cancellation in July 2025.[2]
- Ongoing coverage of the show’s 2025–2026 season context and late-night landscape.[1][4]
Sources
For the first time ever, the coveted post-Super Bowl spot will go to a late-night host. As previously announced, Stephen Colbert will broadcast his 'Late Show' live from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City immediately following the game. Jan 28, 2016 -
www.cbsnews.comCBS will end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and retire "The Late Show" franchise in May 2026, the company announced Thursday. The most watched show in late night is set to retire. CBS News New York's Elijah Westbrook has the details. "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is coming to an end as the network announces it's retiring the most watched show in late night. After more than three decades on the air on CBS, "The Late Show" will end its run in 2026. CBS News New York's Dick Brennan...
www.cbsnews.comThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series 2015–2025) - Movies, TV, Celebs, and more...
www.imdb.comWatch full episodes of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and view video clips and browse photos. Join the conversation and connect with CBS's The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
www.cbs.comDiscover the latest on the late show with stephen colbert from Audacy. Listen to Free Radio Online Music, Sports, News, Podcasts.
www.audacy.comGet the latest news on Stephen Colbert from MailOnline.
www.dailymail.co.ukCBS announced Thursday that it was ending "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2026 and would also be sunsetting "The Late Show" franchise, calling it "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." Jim Axelrod has more. CBS announced Thursday it is ending "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and retiring the franchise in May 2026. CBS News 24/7 anchor and featured host of "CBS Mornings" Vlad Duthiers has the details. CBS will end "The Late Show with Stephen...
www.cbsnews.com: Page 3
www.cbsnews.comMore Information and news about The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
okmagazine.com