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Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show Ends After 33 Years

The final broadcast highlights a dispute over a reported $16 million payment to President Trump that critics say shows how political pressure and corporate deals can shape network choices.

Des supports manifestant à New York devant les studios d'enregistrements du Late Show de Stephen Colbert, pour le dernier épisode de l'émission le 21 mai 2026.
L’émission culte The Late Show, animée par l’humoriste de 62 ans Stephen Colbert, ici en 2025, s’achève ce jeudi 21 mai 2026.
Le logo CBS au siège du groupe à New York, le 6 août 2018.
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Overview

  • The Late Show aired its final episode on Thursday, May 21, 2026, closing a 33‑year run that Colbert led since 2015.
  • CBS says the show was cancelled for financial reasons, citing falling linear TV ad revenue, while Colbert and many commentators link the decision to political pressure and corporate concerns.
  • Reporting has said Paramount paid $16 million to President Trump to settle a dispute and aid a planned merger with Skydance Media, and critics say that deal and the merger effort influenced programming decisions.
  • President Trump celebrated the show's end on Truth Social and Colbert held a farewell episode, auctioned props for World Central Kitchen, and has signalled future projects including a reported co‑writing role on a Lord of the Rings film.
  • The closure underlines a larger shift in late‑night TV: steady drops in broadcast viewers have coincided with strong online followings for shows like Colbert’s on YouTube, and the change raises new questions about newsroom leadership and corporate influence at CBS News.