Stephen Colbert's show, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," was canceled by CBS, with the official reason given as "purely financial" due to the challenging landscape of late-night television. Despite Colbert's show having solid ratings and growing viewership in 2025, CBS decided to end the show in May 2026, coinciding with the end of Colbert’s contract. The cancellation sparked controversy and speculation about potential political motivations, especially since it came shortly after CBS's parent company, Paramount, settled a $16 million lawsuit with former President Donald Trump—a deal Colbert criticized on his show. Critics and some Democratic lawmakers suggested the cancellation was to appease Trump and suppress a vocal critic, while CBS maintained it was strictly a financial decision. Colbert himself was informed of the decision shortly before announcing it to his audience, and there has been strong support for him from fellow comedians and viewers.
