After a decade on air, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is coming to an end. During a July 17 taping, Colbert broke the news to his audience, sharing that the final episode will air in May 2026. And unlike past transitions, the show won’t be passing the torch to a new host—this is the end of The Late Show on CBS entirely.

“It’s not just the end of our show—it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS,” Colbert said.

The announcement came as a surprise to many, especially since Colbert has led late-night ratings for nine straight years. CBS made it clear the decision wasn’t about performance but financial pressures. Still, Colbert expressed deep gratitude to his 200-person team and called CBS “great partners” throughout the journey.

Since its 2015 debut, Colbert’s take on The Late Show stood out for its sharp political humor and thoughtful interviews, making it a key part of national conversations. The news has left fans stunned, with many expressing disbelief online.

Though the curtain is closing on The Late Show, Colbert isn’t stepping away from CBS entirely. He’ll continue producing other projects, including the late-night game show After Midnight, hosted by comedian Taylor Tomlinson.