The cancellation of Stephen Colbert's The Late Show on CBS marks a significant moment in the decline of traditional late-night television. The show, which has been a staple since 2015, will end when Colbert's contract expires in about 10 months. This decision comes amid a broader trend of shrinking audiences for late-night programming and follows a $16 million settlement by CBS of a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
Critics argue that the timing is convenient, as CBS's parent company Paramount is seeking approval from the Trump administration for a merger with Skydance. The network insists the decision is purely financial, noting that no replacement host will be hired and the late-night block will be abandoned entirely. This retreat marks a major shift from the era when CBS became a key player in late-night after poaching David Letterman from NBC in 1993.
The decline of late-night comedy has been attributed to changing viewer habits, with audiences turning to streaming services and online clips. Shows like Saturday Night Live have retained relevance through lower commitment and strong online presence, while traditional talk shows struggle. Colbert's show, despite being the most-watched in its time slot, could not escape the broader industry pressures.
For Colbert, this may signal a return to his roots in political satire, where he excelled on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. The end of The Late Show is seen as another nail in the coffin for topical late-night comedy, which has struggled to respond effectively to the political era shaped by Donald Trump.
