CBS Grants Stephen Colbert One Final Season Amid Late-Night Ratings Decline
NEW YORK, NY — CBS has announced it will extend Stephen Colbert’s tenure on “The Late Show” for just one more season, a decision that underscores the ongoing challenges facing late-night comedy amid shifting audience dynamics and mounting criticism over political bias. Once a dominant force in late-night television during the Johnny Carson era, the genre now grapples with declining ratings and financial losses, particularly for shows perceived as catering to a left-leaning audience.
Colbert’s show, a staple of CBS’s late-night lineup, has seen its viewership diminish steadily as critics and viewers alike question the increasingly partisan tone of many late-night programs. According to industry analysts, broadcast networks are struggling to monetize these shows, which often emphasize political commentary skewed heavily toward liberal perspectives. This trend has raised concerns about the sustainability of the traditional late-night comedy format.
Political satire has long been a staple of American television, but recent years have seen a marked shift. A Federal Communications Commission report highlights that approximately 92% of political jokes on major late-night shows target conservative figures, reflecting a pronounced ideological tilt. This imbalance has alienated segments of the audience and contributed to the erosion of broad-based appeal.
President Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024 served as a pivotal moment, illustrating that relentless lampooning by late-night hosts did not necessarily translate into political influence. Despite frequent mockery, Trump’s victory underscored a disconnect between the comedic narratives and voter sentiment. Meanwhile, liberal commentators have framed the decline of these shows as symptomatic of broader cultural and political shifts. On ABC’s “The View,” co-host Sunny Hostin described CBS’s decision as “the dismantling of our democracy,” asserting that the network’s move was less about finances and more about silencing liberal voices.
Yet, the financial realities are stark. Broadcast networks report losses on left-leaning comedy programs, with advertising revenues failing to keep pace with production costs. This economic pressure has forced CBS to reconsider its late-night strategy, culminating in the announcement that Colbert’s show will conclude after one final season.
The content of these programs has also drawn criticism for its increasingly harsh tone. Jon Stewart, during his limited appearances on “The Daily Show,” delivered scathing critiques of capitalism and government policy, while John Oliver’s commentary on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” has been described as vitriolic, particularly in his attacks on conservative icons like former President Ronald Reagan.
Guests on Colbert’s show have echoed the hosts’ partisan perspectives. Actor Nathan Lane, appearing in December 2025, satirized the Trump administration’s cultural initiatives with biting humor, highlighting the widening gap between entertainment and political discourse.
As CBS prepares for the final season of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the network and the industry at large face the challenge of redefining late-night comedy in an era marked by political polarization and changing viewer expectations. The Nielsen ratings continue to reflect a fragmented audience, while advertisers and networks seek formats that can bridge ideological divides.
For more information on the evolving media landscape and broadcast regulations, visit the Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau and the Nielsen Company. These organizations provide ongoing data and insights into audience trends and broadcast standards that shape the future of television programming.
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