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Stephen Colbert will now not host The Late Present. Following the community’s stunning $16 million settlement towards Donald Trump, CBS introduced that The Late Present with Stephen Colbert is ending subsequent yr. As followers of the late-night comedy present grapple with the information, many are questioning if the present was canceled. Above all, viewers are asking the identical query: why is Stephen’s late-night present coming to an finish?
Beneath, Hollywood Life has a breakdown of why The Late Present with Stephen Colbert is ending.
Was The Late Present With Stephen Colbert Canceled?
Sure, CBS is canceling The Late Present franchise after greater than three a long time on the air. Stephen took over the present in 2015, and it was initially hosted by David Letterman.
When Is The Late Present With Stephen Colbert Ending?
The Late Present will finish in Could 2026, CBS executives introduced on July 17, 2025.
Why Is The Late Present With Stephen Colbert Ending?
CBS determined to intestine The Late Present with Stephen Colbert as a result of monetary causes, community executives defined in a press release launched on July 17, 2025, obtained by Selection.
“We contemplate Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and can retire The Late Present franchise in Could of 2026,” CBS executives stated. “We’re proud that Stephen referred to as CBS dwelling. He and the printed will probably be remembered within the pantheon of greats that graced late night time tv.”
The unnamed executives added, “That is purely a monetary resolution towards a difficult backdrop in late night time. It isn’t associated in any solution to the present’s efficiency, content material or different issues taking place at Paramount.”
The merger between Paramount World — the mother or father firm of CBS — and Skydance Media is anticipated to shut this yr.

Is Stephen Colbert Leaving The Late Present?
It doesn’t seem that Stephen left The Late Present voluntarily, primarily based on a number of stories about CBS’ resolution to ax the comedy collection. Per Selection, the comic was knowledgeable of the community’s resolution on July 16, 2025, and he knowledgeable the viewers on the subsequent episode’s taping.
The Late Present isn’t the one late-night collection to be canceled by CBS. Earlier this yr, After Midnight that includes comic Taylor Tomlinson was taken off the air.
What Is Stephen Colbert’s Late Present Wage?
Stephen is reported to have made a wage of round $15 million per yr with CBS whereas internet hosting The Late Present.