Why did CBS cancel Stephen Colbert's The Late Show? All you need to know

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is a beloved late-night talk show in America. It debuted in 2015, taking over the iconic Late Show time slot once occupied by David Letterman. Colbert, well known for his clever humor and political satire. It became an instant favorite among late-night viewers. The show taped live at night from New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater, usually Monday through Thursday at 11:35 pm ET/PT. It was a late-night competitor to other titans such as Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon for years.

Nonetheless, in spite of its popularity, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be cancelled in May 2026. CBS made an announcement that the show would not be renewed after its current season. Both fans and media professionals have their questions regarding why it was cancelled. Although CBS claims that the rationale is for financial reasons, there are many factors which could have been the reasons for the decision.

Reason behind CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Both financial and strategic reasons are behind CBS's move to cancel The Late Show. The network reportedly lost over $40 million annually on the show, so it had been a bad investment. Colbert's show previously had the highest viewership of any late-night talk show in the United States. But it has been very unlucky recently; both the viewership and the ratings have been declining. In short, streaming platforms are gaining popularity among audiences, and conventional late-night shows are losing their utility.

The cost of making such a high-budget show is made even worse by the fact that platforms like YouTube and podcasts are becoming more popular and offer lower production costs. There are now many more ways for celebrities to promote their projects than there used to be, so talk shows aren't as necessary. On CBS, other shows that used to be big, like The Late Late Show, ended after James Corden left and have also gone away.

If this was not enough, Colbert's outspoken criticisms of CBS's parent company, Paramount, after a lawsuit settlement with Donald Trump, might have caused the turmoil between the host and the network. Despite all suspicions, CBS decides to maintain that this news is purely a financial one.

The Late Show started rolling on September 8, 2015

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered on September 8, 2015, replacing David Letterman's long-running show on CBS. Colbert brought new ideas to late-night talk shows as he was humorous and mocked politics. The legendary Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City is where the show is recorded. It broadcasts live from tape on every Monday through Thursday evening at 11:35 pm ET/PT.

When Colbert initially took over, he had to step up and fill big shoes left behind by Letterman. Initially, the show struggled to get rolling. As the 2016 U.S. presidential election drew nearer, however, Colbert began to discuss politics more in his monologues. The Late Show picked up steam slowly, with a bigger crowd and higher ratings on the board.

Eventually, the show evolved. Colbert's sense of humor became more inclusive and reflective. He departed from the cynical, satirical character he developed on The Colbert Report and became more affable and genuine. Through this, substantial interviews with his guests ensued. Consequently, The Late Show gained a reputation for combining humor with social and political significance. But it's only natural that the things go through a transformation in the television industry, and now it's time to say goodbye to Colbert's program.