Stephen Colbert show cancelled; here’s what the Trump-roasting host takes home in salary and net worth

CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, confirming that the long-running program will air its final episode in May 2026. The decision also marks the end of the broader Late Show franchise. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run at the end of the 2025–26 broadcast season,” CBS said in an official statement.

While CBS has not publicly detailed why it cancelled Colbert, industry insiders point to changing viewer habits, declining late-night ratings, and strategic cost-cutting by CBS parent company, Paramount. The announcement comes amid a broader re-evaluation of CBS Late Night programming.

The cancellation of the Stephen Colbert Show has sparked debate online, with hashtags like “#StephenColbertCancelled”, “#LateShowCancelled”, and “#ColbertShowEnding” trending across social platforms.

Stephen Colbert’s salary and CBS contracts

Despite the cancellation, Stephen Colbert has enjoyed immense success during his time at CBS. When he took over The Late Show in 2015, his salary was reportedly $6 million annually. In 2019, CBS Stephen Colbert renewed his contract, which boosted his pay to $15 million per year.

In 2023, he signed a three-year extension, securing his position through 2026, making the cancellation of The Colbert Late Show all the more surprising to fans and critics alike.

Colbert’s net worth: How much has he earned?

As of 2025, Stephen Colbert's net worth is estimated at $75 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com. That wealth is a result of not just his CBS Late Show stint but also his earlier work on The Colbert Report and The Daily Show.

Colbert, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, has become a household name in American political satire, with a career spanning comedy, acting, writing, and hosting.

Colbert has written bestselling books, performed on Broadway, and voiced characters in shows like "The Venture Bros." and films like "Monsters vs. Aliens." A devout Catholic and classically trained actor, his blend of intellect, satire, and sincerity has established him as a respected figure in modern American comedy.

Legacy of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

Over the years, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert consistently ranked as one of the most influential platforms in American late-night TV, especially during the Trump and post-Trump political era. The Colbert Show brought nightly monologues, sharp political commentary, and memorable interviews.

The network has not yet confirmed what will replace The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Some reports suggest CBS News and Paramount are exploring a digital-first or streaming-based late-night model to adapt to shifting viewership patterns.

With CBS cancelling the Colbert Show, questions remain about the future of CBS Late Night, and whether a new face will take up the mantle, or if this marks a retreat from traditional late-night programming altogether.