Final 12 months, Jimmy Kimmel predicted the late-night TV format might need solely 10 years left.
Right now’s surprising announcement means that the timeframe may very well be reduce in half. Possibly two-thirds.
CBS is canceling “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert,” citing “monetary choices.” The late-night showcase will run new episodes via Could 2026. It won’t get replaced.
‘Late Present’ Shocker: CBS Ending Late-Evening Franchise in 2026 https://t.co/Gv9mqweRpQ by way of @thr
— Tammi (@Tammi on the Spoutible🐳🐋, come on over!) (@TLaTela) July 17, 2025
“‘The Late Present with Stephen Colbert’ will finish its historic run in Could 2026 on the finish of the published season,” the community mentioned in a press release. “We take into account Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and can retire ‘The Late Present’ franchise at the moment. We’re proud that Stephen known as CBS residence. He and the published will probably be remembered within the pantheon of greats that graced late evening tv.”
Late Evening TV revenues have been cratering for a while. Final 12 months, “Late Evening with Seth Meyers” fired its home band for monetary causes. Jimmy Fallon’s low-rated “Tonight Present” went from 5 nights per week to 4.
When “The Late Late Present” wrapped in 2023, CBS opted to not substitute it with an identical discuss present.
The one late-night gabfest exhibiting true development? Fox Information’ “Gutfeld!” The present now airs at 10 p.m. ET.
The “Late Present” cancellation will instantly spark a Trumpian conspiracy. Colbert hinted at such a growth earlier this week, vowing to combat on regardless of guardian firm CBS’s settlement with Trump over a deceptively edited interview on “60 Minutes.”
Colbert has been one of many greatest comedic thorns in President Donald Trump’s facet. He leaned onerous into the Russian collusion hoax and has made his Trump assaults an everyday a part of his program.
It labored, to a level. “The Late Present” has been the dominant pressure in late-night for practically a decade. The present’s scores aren’t big, however they constantly beat “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!,” “The Day by day Present” and “The Tonight Present.”
Why not downsize the manufacturing? Transfer to a few nights per week? Make robust however vital price range cuts?
No.
The present will finish its run in 2026. And, if CBS can’t make the numbers add up with the top-rated broadcast present on late evening, what does that imply for the competitors?
Keep tuned.