CBS cancels The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in what it calls a ‘purely financial decision’

actionnewsjax.com ^ | July 17, 2025 | ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

[V_TWIN]

A staple of late night television is going off the air for good.

CBS and Stephen Colbert broke the news Thursday that the next season of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ will be its last.

It will not return with a new host, either.

“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘THE LATE SHOW’ franchise at that time,” wrote CBS. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”

The Associated Press reports the announcement came three days after Colbert spoke out against Paramount Global, parent company of CBS, settling with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” story. The company’s pending sale to Skydance Media needs the Trump administration’s approval.

According to CBS, the decision has nothing to do with the host, the show’s popularity, or content. Instead, the company said it all comes down to money.

[vivenne]

So Trump retired Stephen Colbert, eh? Expect the shows rhetoric to reach fever pitch.

[1Old Pro]

So Trump retired Stephen Colbert, eh? Expect the shows rhetoric to reach fever pitch.

It already reached TDS fever pitch. That's why half the audience walked out along with their money.

[Liz]

AP reports this came three days after Colbert spoke out against Paramount Global, parent company of CBS, settling with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” story.

Oops.

The company’s pending sale to Skydance Media needs the Trump administration’s approval.

According to CBS, the decision has nothing to do with the host, or the show’s popularity..........

[Bon of Babble]

I remember when late-night TV used to be great, and it seemed everyone watched Johnny Carson. I remember discussing his show the next day.

My mother preferred Jack Paar.

Now we have these unfunny, pundits like Fallon, Stewart and Kimmel masquerading as comedians while pushing a lefty narrative.

No Thanks and..

Good riddance.

[jerod]

If nobody’s watching... Then advertisers aren’t advertising and CBS isn’t PBS... They’re in it to make money not produce propaganda for leftwing causes.

[vivenne]

I’ve never watched the show as I can’t stand SC but you are likely right.

[MRadtke]

It sure was. He's got to be spinning in his grave right now for being put in the same class as Colbert and Fallon.

[griswold3]

200 staff members. The main reason of course they aren’t just replacing SC. Nothing more draining than producers managing an entertainment production.

[1Old Pro]

The networks are hanging on by their fingernails. Just like the Democrat party, they are failing to be honest and admit their extremist leftism is killing them.

[Yossarian]

200 staff members?? Seriously. They must be losing money hand over fist with no ratings. CBS has thoroughly collapsed.

I took a stab at guesstimating how many people are needed to run a major production like a national network (anachronism) weekday hour-long TV show.

I tried to be generous, AND took into account that "The Late Show" not only has to run the show, but they also have to run the "Ed Sullivan Theater" building it takes place in.

Two hundred staff seems high. I'd think it could be done with 120 or so. Breakdown is below, feel free to comment.

---

Category	Department	Headcount	Total
management	producer + staff	5
management	financial	5
management	management misc	3
management	total		13
building	skilled trades	10
building	security	7
building	janitors	5
building	building misc	5
building	total		27
production	lighting	10
production	sound	7
production	makeup	5
production	cameras	5
production	control room	5
production	audience mgmnt	5
production	set + props	5
production	theater misc	5
production	total		47
content	writers	10
content	on-air talent	8
content	guest bookers + handlers	5
content	editors	3
content	directors	2
content	content misc	5
content	total		33
total			120

[1Old Pro]

Say 100, then they are 100% over staffed.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

The spin has begun.

CNN - CBS is ending ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, calling it 'a financial decision'

At the point I got the link, they are acknowledging the profits have plummeted for late night shows. Afterwards, they continue with the leftist approved political narrative.

[Fledermaus]

And he no longer competes head to head. His show is now off a half hour before Colbert starts.

[tumblindice]

I’m pretty sure everyone, but bepimpled 15 year old boys, is happy with this development.
So long schiesskopf.

[mewzilla]

Someone quantified it..

Colbert’s late-night show loses CBS up to $50 MILLION PER YEAR. People are asking why the show wasn't canceled sooner, and why it got cut now 🤔 Image for article: Colbert’s late-night show loses CBS up to $50 MILLION PER YEAR. People are asking why the show wasn't canceled sooner, and why it got cut now 🤔

I've got one more question: How was CBS squaring that loss? And now I'm wondering if Skydance had anything to do with this.

And just how bad are CBS's books...

[1Old Pro]

I've got one more question: How was CBS squaring that loss? And now I'm wondering if Skydance had anything to do with this.

No doubt, they saw it losing 50mil/year and ordered it cancelled.