Cancellation of Colbert’s Late-Night Show Sparks Debate

During a segment on CNN Thursday night, chief media analyst Brian Stelter expressed strong emotions regarding the announcement that Stephen Colbert’s late-night talk show will be discontinued in May 2026. CBS cited that the show was not profitable as the reason for its cancellation.

Stelter raised concerns about the timing of the decision, pointing out Colbert’s role as a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. “Colbert has always been a thorn in the side of the network’s parent company,” Stelter remarked to host Anderson Cooper. Fans of Colbert are already reacting on social media, expressing their disappointment and suggesting that CBS’s decision feels like a concession to the president.

He noted past struggles with profitability in late-night programming, recalling that when “The Late, Late Show with James Corden” ended, CBS struggled to sell enough advertisements to keep it afloat. “This may still apply to Colbert,” Stelter indicated, citing unnamed sources who claim that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is currently facing similar challenges.

Furthermore, Stelter speculated that Colbert wasn’t given a chance to adjust the show in order to save it, suggesting the pending merger with Skydance might have played a significant role. “He wasn’t offered the opportunity to renegotiate his salary, alter the format, or even relocate from the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he asserted. This rapid decision seems linked to larger corporate changes involving the Paramount-Skidance merger, with hints that individuals like Trump and his associates may have some influence over events.

In an interesting twist, a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump over a past interview has garnered internal criticism, adding another layer of complexity to the situation at CBS.