stephen colbert cancelled why

Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show" was canceled by CBS, with the final episode set for May 2026 after 10 years on air. The official reason given by CBS and its parent company Paramount Global was purely financial, citing a "challenging backdrop in late night" and stating the cancellation was not related to the show's performance or content. However, the timing of the cancellation, coming shortly after Colbert criticized CBS for a $16 million settlement with the Trump Administration, has led to speculation that there may be political reasons involved as well. Some industry voices and colleagues, like Jimmy Kimmel, have doubted the financial explanation, suggesting other motives behind the decision, possibly related to corporate dealings and political pressures in the media landscape. Colbert himself expressed gratitude to CBS despite the cancellation news, confirming no replacement would take over the show—it will simply end.