CBS Pulls Plug On Late Show With Colbert, Citing It Was Purely Financial. No Successor Planned. Are Fallon and Kimmel Safe?

Robert Eckelman
Jul 18
1 min read

July 18, 2025

It was just announced that The CBS Late Show with Stephen Colbert is cancelled for 2026. CBS is not replacing Late Night; they are exiting the late-night business.

Jimmy Kimmel has a contract through 2026.

Jimmy Fallon's contract runs through 2028.

Gutfeld is dominating late-night talk show ratings. I am not sure of his contract dates.

CBS is stating that the decision to cancel Colbert is purely financial. They said it is not based on the show's performance. Just my opinion, but I certainly don't believe that. When ratings tumble, so does ad revenue; that's why it's financial. Ad dollars follow eyeballs. If more people were viewing, more revenue would flow.

What are the odds that Kimmel and Fallon are also on the chopping block?

Is Gutfeld safe?

CBS cancels Colbert for 2026. What late-night host gets dismissed next?