CBS Announces the End of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

For years, Stephen Colbert has been one of the most iconic and recognizable faces on television. However, it sounds like his time with CBS is coming to a close.

On Thursday, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be coming to an end next year, with the final show airing in May of 2026.

In a statement, the network explained that the decision was not related to Colbert or the show's performance, but was "purely a financial decision."

"'THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT' will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season," the company said in a statement on Thursday. "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time. 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 company added.

Colbert broke the news to his audience during Thursday afternoon's filming.

"Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night," he said. "Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending 'The Late Show' in May."

When the audience responded with a chorus of boos, Colbert expressed his own displeasure, saying, "Yeah, I share your feelings."

"It's not just the end of our show, it's the end of 'The Late Show' on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away," Colbert said. "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."

Colbert has been hosting The Late Show since joining CBS back in 2015.