CBS Announces Cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

CBS has unexpectedly announced the cancellation of its flagship late-night talk show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, due to financial reasons. The show, which has been a leader in its time slot, is set to end in May 2026. Over the years, it has featured numerous K-pop artists, including BTS (방탄소년단), SEVENTEEN (세븐틴), and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (투모로우바이투게더), who used the platform to connect with their American fans and promote new music.

The show's future became uncertain following the potential re-election of former President Donald Trump. Originally hosted by David Letterman for 22 years until his retirement in 2015, Colbert has been at the helm for the past decade, often criticizing the Trump administration.

The situation was further complicated by CBS's parent company, Paramount, which is pursuing a merger with Skydance Media. This merger requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which is led by Trump, leading CBS to reconsider its programming strategy.

On July 18, Trump expressed his satisfaction on social media regarding Colbert's cancellation, calling him a talentless individual with low ratings. In response, Colbert addressed Trump's comments during the first episode after the cancellation announcement on July 21. He challenged Trump's remarks, stating, "How dare you say that? A talentless person can’t make such satire. Eat it!"

Colbert emphasized that the cancellation felt real over the weekend but noted, "They made one mistake: they left me alive. For the next ten months, I can finally speak the truth about those in power. I do not like him (Trump). He is not fit to be president. That position is not suitable for him." His remarks drew cheers from the audience.