Stephen Colbert has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end after its upcoming 10th season, marking the conclusion of a celebrated era in late-night television.
The revelation came during Thursday’s taping at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York. Speaking directly to the live audience, Colbert shared that CBS has decided to end The Late Show in May 2026.
“Next year will be our last season,” Colbert said during his monologue. “The network will be ending The Late Show in May. It’s not just the end of our show, but the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
While the audience reacted with disappointment, Colbert took a moment to express gratitude to his team and fans. “I am extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here. We get to do this show for each other every day, and I’ve had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing that with you for the last 10 years,” he said.
In a statement to PEOPLE, CBS confirmed the show’s conclusion, calling it a “purely financial decision” unrelated to performance, content, or any issues at parent company Paramount Global.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” the network stated. “Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm… The show has been #1 in late night for nine straight seasons.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered in September 2015, following the retirement of David Letterman. It quickly became a staple of political and cultural commentary, known for its sharp monologues and influential interviews.
CBS praised Colbert and his team for their “cutting-edge comedy” and “staple presence in the nation’s zeitgeist.” The final season will air as part of the 2025–2026 TV season, concluding Colbert’s decade-long run.