CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show,’ Sparking Outrage and Fears for Late-Night TV’s Future

CBS has announced it will end 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in May 2026, citing financial reasons amid declining advertising revenue and the broader struggles of broadcast television. The decision has ignited controversy, with critics and fellow late-night hosts suggesting political motivations and self-censorship, especially given Colbert’s outspoken criticism of former President Trump and CBS’s recent corporate maneuvers. Colbert and his peers, including Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon, have publicly mocked and criticized CBS’s rationale, while Trump has gloated over the cancellation. The move is seen as a potential death knell for the traditional late-night talk show format, raising concerns about the future of political satire and free speech on network TV. The Writers Guild of America has even called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the cancellation.