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Late night time tv goes by main modifications in 2025. CBS confirmed that The Late Present with Stephen Colbert will finish subsequent 12 months, simply weeks after Stephen Colbert picked up one other Emmy for Excellent Selection Speak Sequence. Over at ABC, Jimmy Kimmel additionally added to his résumé with a Inventive Arts Emmy win for Excellent Host for a Sport Present because of Who Needs to Be a Millionaire. However his celebration was short-lived — ABC introduced that Jimmy Kimmel Stay! has been suspended indefinitely following backlash over Kimmel’s latest on-air remarks in regards to the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing.
As viewers come to phrases with Colbert’s looming exit and Kimmel’s present being pulled from the schedule, questions are swirling about the way forward for late night time and what would possibly come subsequent.
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 an announcement launched on July 17, 2025, obtained by Selection.
“We think about 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 executives added, “That is purely a monetary choice 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 occurring at Paramount.”
The merger between Paramount International — the guardian firm of CBS — and Skydance Media is predicted to shut this 12 months.

Paramount has doubled down on its declare that canceling Stephen’s present was monetary. Regardless of dealing with criticism from Stephen himself, the community has maintained its reply, with Paramount International TV Media Chairman George Cheeks following up in regards to the scenario.
“The problem in late night time is that the promoting market is in vital secular decline,” George stated in an August 2025 press convention, per TV Insider. “We’re large followers of Colbert, we love the present, sadly, the economics made it a problem for us to maintain going.”
Is Stephen Colbert Leaving The Late Present?
Stephen didn’t depart The Late Present voluntarily. Per Selection, the comic was knowledgeable of CBS’ choice on July 16, 2025, and he knowledgeable the viewers on the subsequent episode’s taping.
What Is Stephen Colbert’s Late Present Wage?
Stephen is reported to have made a wage of round $15 million per 12 months with CBS whereas internet hosting The Late Present.