Stephen Colbert reveals date of final Late Show broadcast
There are just four months left of Colbert's late night show
www.independent.co.ukStephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show is scheduled for May 21, 2026. CBS announced in 2025 that the show would end in 2026 due to a financial decision, and Colbert confirmed the finale date in January 2026, with the network emphasizing the decision was financial and not related to content or performance.[3][5][9]
Latest highlights
- The finale is set for May 21, 2026, marking the end of Colbert’s tenure after about a decade as host.[5][3]
- In the weeks leading up to the finale, Colbert has continued his standard late-night duties with tributes, reflections, and guest appearances as the show nears its curtain call (final week coverage and farewell moments have been reported by major outlets).[4]
What this means
- CBS is retiring The Late Show franchise, signaling a broader shift in CBS/Paramount’s late-night strategy rather than a reflection on Colbert’s performance.[9][3]
- Colbert’s farewell is expected to be a milestone TV moment, featuring retrospective clips, high-profile guests, and emotional tributes reflecting his impact on late-night television.[5]
If you’d like, I can pull a quick timeline of confirmed milestones and a shortlist of notable guests announced for the finale week. Also, I can fetch the most recent updates from reliable outlets and summarize them with citations.