CBS Cancels 'The Late Show' After Upcoming Season; Political Divide and Financial Factors Cited

CBS has announced that "The Late Show," in its entirety, will conclude after the upcoming television season. The decision, revealed on July 17, has sparked debate within the entertainment industry, with some attributing the cancellation to financial considerations and others pointing to the increasingly polarized political landscape of late-night television. The show has been a staple of CBS’s late-night lineup, following in the footsteps of David Letterman, and before that, Johnny Carson's move to NBC. The current iteration is hosted by Stephen Colbert.

Financial Pressures and a Changing Landscape

CBS officially cited "financial reasons" for ending the long-running franchise. The network is facing increasing pressure to cut costs amid declining linear television viewership and the rise of streaming platforms. Industry analysts suggest that the high production costs associated with late-night shows, coupled with the difficulty of monetizing them in the current media environment, made "The Late Show" a prime target for budget cuts.

“Late night is an expensive game, and the returns aren’t what they used to be,” says media analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore. “Networks are forced to make tough choices, and unfortunately, iconic shows like ‘The Late Show,’ even with a talented host like Colbert, are not immune.”

Political Commentary Divides Audiences

Adding fuel to the fire, prominent media figures have weighed in on the cancellation, suggesting that the show's political leanings may have contributed to its demise. Piers Morgan, for instance, took to social media platform X to claim that most late-night hosts have become "hyper-partisan activist hacks" for the Democratic Party, and that Colbert's cancellation was a direct result of this trend. He cited a New York Post cover declaring, "No wonder he was canned, 'The Left Show With Stephen Colbert.'"

Jay Leno, former host of "The Tonight Show," echoed similar sentiments, stating that late-night hosts often "alienate" a portion of their audience by "cozying up" to one political side. "I love political humor, don’t get me wrong. But it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other," Leno said in a recent interview, advocating for a more inclusive approach to comedy that appeals to a broader audience.

Expert Opinion: The Risk of Hyper-Partisanship

Dr. Sarah Miller, a professor of media studies at the University of Southern California, argues that while political satire has always been a part of late-night television, the current level of polarization presents new challenges. "In the past, hosts like Johnny Carson and even David Letterman, while having their own viewpoints, generally aimed for broader appeal," Dr. Miller explains. "Today, many hosts have embraced a more explicitly partisan stance, which can resonate strongly with certain viewers but also alienate others, impacting overall viewership and, ultimately, the show's viability."

Speculation Surrounds Paramount Merger

Beyond financial and political factors, some observers have speculated that the cancellation of "The Late Show" could be linked to the pending merger between CBS's parent company, Paramount, and Skydance Media. Concerns have been raised that the move is to appease Donald Trump's FCC amid this merger.

While CBS has denied any connection between the merger and the cancellation, the timing of the announcement has fueled speculation. The potential for regulatory scrutiny from a Trump-led FCC could have influenced the network's decision-making process, leading them to eliminate a program known for its criticism of the former president.

The Future of Late Night

The cancellation of "The Late Show" marks a significant shift in the landscape of late-night television. It raises questions about the future of the genre in an era of fragmented audiences, streaming dominance, and increasing political polarization. Whether other late-night shows will follow suit remains to be seen, but the industry is undoubtedly facing a period of transition and uncertainty.