Stephen Colbert Ends CBS Late Show Run After 33 Years

CBS will end its Late Show franchise this week after 33 years on air. The program featured interviews with political figures and entertainers during its run. The network reported annual losses of approximately $40 million in recent years. Ad revenue fell to $70 million last year from $121 million in 2018. The host earned between $15 million and $20 million annually.

Guest Appearances The show hosted Sen.

Bernie Sanders 22 times, the most frequent politician guest in late-night history. Other guests included Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former Rep. Cori Bush, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger also appeared. By one measure, 99 percent of political guests leaned left or identified as Democrats.

Carson stated in a 1979 interview that entertainers should avoid using their platform to sway viewers on political issues. Podcasts now reach larger audiences at lower production costs than traditional late-night programs. The Late Show maintained a format centered on celebrity interviews and political commentary.