How the host learned and told his staff

Stephen Colbert described the moment he found out CBS had canceled “The Late Show,” recounting a visceral mix of shock and duty as he broke the news to his team. Speaking publicly, he said he was soaked with sweat when he told staff the long-running program would end, a decision that followed months of industry turbulence and ratings pressures. The late-night host emphasized gratitude for the show’s run and for viewers, while urging colleagues to look ahead to new creative chapters.

Late-night reset and industry backdrop

The end of “The Late Show” marks another pivot point in broadcast late-night, a genre squeezed by streaming competition, shifting viewer habits and rising production costs. Networks are experimenting with lower-cost formats, seasonal runs and digital-first spin-offs to keep audiences engaged. Insiders expect more consolidation and cross-platform partnerships as studios search for sustainable economics. Colbert’s reflections captured both the personal stakes for crews and the larger reinvention facing late-night TV.