Colbert's Late Show Axed: Was it a $16 Million Bribe or Just Bad Ratings?

2025-07-18 06:00:35.074

CBS is canceling "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" next May, ending a decades-long run. The announcement followed Colbert's criticism of a $16 million settlement between Trump and Paramount Global (CBS's parent company) over a "60 Minutes" story. Colbert called the settlement a "big fat bribe." Paramount and CBS executives stated the cancellation was a purely financial decision unrelated to the show's performance or content. However, Colbert's outspoken criticism of Trump and the timing of the cancellation, amidst a pending sale of Paramount to Skydance Media requiring Trump administration approval, has fueled speculation. Despite recent ratings successes and Emmy nominations, the cancellation has drawn significant backlash from politicians, fellow late-night hosts, and celebrities, with accusations of political motivations. The cancellation also comes as the House passed a bill to cut funding to public broadcasters NPR and PBS. Late-night TV faces economic pressures, with declining ratings and ad revenue, and many younger viewers preferring online content. However, Colbert's show had been a consistent leader in its timeslot. The situation has raised questions about the future of late-night television and the potential influence of political factors on network decisions.