‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Canceled After 10 Years
Stephen Colbert won’t be staying up late for much longer.
Following 10 years as host of The Late Show, the comedian revealed the long-running late night franchise—which began with David Letterman in 1993—is ending after 33 years.
“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS,” Colbert told his audience in a clip shared to his Instagram July 17. “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
While lamenting the network’s decision to sunset the franchise—which he explained he had only learned about the day before—the 61-year-old thanked his loyal audience and crew.
“I’m grateful to you, the audience, who have joined us,” Colbert continued. “I’m grateful to share the stage with this band, these artists over here every night. And I am extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here. We get to do this show for each other every day, all day, and I’ve had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years.”
And with his signature wit, Colbert alluded to the show’s May 2026 end with optimism, adding, “It’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months. It’s gonna be fun.”
As for why the network has decided to end the show, which earned an Outstanding Talk Series Emmy nomination the day before? CBS executives George Cheeks, Amy Reisenbach and David Stapf provided frank insight.
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” the trio shared in a joint press release. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
The executives went on to share their appreciation for Colbert and the show’s success.
“Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult,” the statement continued. “With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
Read on for more shows that have been canceled—and renewed—during the 2025 season.
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Canceled: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
CBS announced they would shutter the late night franchise, with its last episode airing in May 2026.
Netflix
Renewed: King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch
The Netflix reality series will return for season three.
Netflix
Renewed: The Ultimatum: Marry or Move on
The Netflix reality series was renewed for season four.
AppleTV+
Renewed: Murderbot
Apple TV+ announced a season two renewal for its acclaimed comedic thriller Murderbot starring Alexander Skarsgård.
HGTV
Renewed: The Flip Off
The HGTV competition series will be back for season two.
HGTV
Canceled: The Flipping El Moussas
Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa‘s HGTV renovation show won’t be returning for more home makeovers.
HGTV/Warner Bros. Discovery
Canceled: Christina on the Coast
Christina Haack‘s real estate series is done at HGTV.
Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios
Ending: Upload
In the four-part series finale event, sentient AI rapidly turns evil, threatening to wipe out Lakeview (and the world!). On top of greedy executives, lingering mysteries, plus heartbreak in VR and IRL, our characters are tested like never before. The only way they can get through it all and save humanity from deletion is by teaming up one last time.
The final season premieres Aug. 25 on Prime Video.
Netflix
Renewed: Squid Game: The Challenge
The reality competition series, inspired by Netflix’s popular drama, will put more hopefuls to the test during seasons two and three.
Season two premieres Nov. 4.
Netflix
Ending: Queer Eye
Netflix’s Emmy-winning makeover show will come to an end after its upcoming 10th season.
Apple TV +
Renewed: Slow Horses
The Apple TV+ spy drama, which returns for season five this fall, will be back for seasons six and seven.
FX/Disney
Renewed: The Bear
FX’s Emmy-winner culinary drama will cook up more entertainment when it returns for season five.
Disney/Anne Marie Fox
Renewed: The Bachelor
ABC’s hit dating compeition series will return for its milestone 30th season, according to Deadline.
Disney/Pari Dukovic
Canceled: Doctor Odyssey
Ryan Murphy‘s cruise series has been canceled by ABC…well, sorta.
The show’s ending is “a default cancellation as the cast’s options are expiring on Monday and are not being picked up,” Deadline reported June 30, “releasing the actors to do other projects.”
Starz
Renewed: Outlande: Blood of My Blood
Starz’s Outlander prequel scored am early season two renewel before its premiere this summer.
Paramount+
Renewed: Mobland
The Paramount+ drama was renewed for a second season.
Mobland stars Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren in a story about two mob families who clash in a war that threatens to topple empires and lives.
Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios
Renewed: Reacher
The Prime Video drama will return for season four.
Netflix
Renewed: My Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
David Letterman‘s Netflix series was renewed for two more seasons.
Charles Sykes/Bravo
Renewed: Watch What Happens Live
Andy Cohen‘s late night talk show will continue to bring viewers OMG moments through 2027.
Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios
Renewed: Maxton Hall – The World Between Us
The Prime Video series will return for season three.
Peacock
Renewed: Love Island USA
The Peacock reality dating competition series will bring the heat when it returns for season eight.
Roku Channel
Renewed: The Great American Baking Show
The Roku culinary compatition will be back for season four.
FX/Disney
Renewed: Welcome to Wrexham
FX has ordered a fifth season of its Emmy-winning docuseries that will capture the Club’s upcoming debut in the EFL Championship after its historic third consecutive promotion.
Jake Giles Netter/Max
Renewed: Hacks
The Emmy-winning comedy was renewed for season five by Max.
Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
Renewed: Yellowjackets
The hit drama will be back for season four on Paramount+ With Showtime.
Netflix
Renewed: My Life Wit the Walter Boys
The Netflix series will return for season three.
Netflix
Renewed: Million Dollar Secret
The Netflix competition series will crown a new winner during its upcoming sophomore season.
Elizabeth Morris/Netflix
Renewed: Forever
The show based on Judy Blume‘s classic novel was renewed for season two by Netflix
Netflix
Renewed: Survival of the Thickest
Michelle Buteau‘s Netflix comedy has been renewed for season three.
Netflix
Renewed: The Diplomat
The Keri Russell-led drama will return for season four on Netflix.
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