CBS Cancels Franchise: Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ to End Next Year

CBS announced on Thursday that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will air its final episode in May, marking the conclusion of a significant era since Colbert took the helm in 2015. The network expressed gratitude for Colbert’s contributions, stating, “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘THE LATE SHOW’ franchise at that time.” They emphasized pride in having Colbert, whose work will be remembered as part of late-night television history.

The decision to end the show is described as purely financial, occurring against a challenging backdrop for late-night programming, stating it is unrelated to the show’s performance or any ongoing matters at Paramount. Colbert, who previously hosted “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, shared the news with his audience, expressing the emotional weight of the announcement. He remarked, “It’s not just the end of our show…

I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” He acknowledged the support he received from CBS throughout his run.

The cancellation has sparked various reactions, including from Senator Adam Schiff, who questioned the motivations behind the show’s termination. Schiff expressed concern that if the cancellation was politically influenced, the public ought to be informed. In the backdrop of this decision, CBS’s parent company, Paramount, is navigating a significant merger with Skydance, hampered by legal entanglements arising from a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.

Although Paramount has settled this lawsuit, it insists that this legal battle is distinct from the merger negotiations. Colbert has been critical of Paramount’s dealings, describing their recent settlement as a “big fat bribe,” indicating his awareness of the broader implications of media and politics. Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also voiced his support for Colbert, adding a personal touch to the growing conversation around the cancellation.

CBS previously hinted at strategy shifts by deciding not to continue other late-night properties, indicating a restructuring approach in their programming lineup.