The golden age of monologue jokes and celebrity couches is officially over. 2025 marked the final breath of a dying format as major networks slashed budgets, canceled icons and admitted defeat in the battle for eyeballs. The once dominant late night empire has crumbled under the weight of changing viewer habits and expensive production costs.
CBS Cancels The Late Show Franchise After Colbert Exits
The most shocking news to hit the entertainment world arrived this July from the headquarters of CBS. The network announced that “The Late Show” will permanently turn off its lights in May 2026. This decision marks the end of a broadcast lineage that dates back to the legendary David Letterman.
Stephen Colbert is set to finish his contract and retire from the format. However, the real story is what happens next. CBS executives confirmed they have no plans to hire a replacement host or continue the franchise name.
The network is reportedly unwilling to sustain the estimated $40 million annual production cost for the show.
Insiders suggest the time slot will likely be filled by a cost effective news magazine program or syndicated reruns. This move signals a total surrender by legacy media. They no longer see value in the traditional variety talk show format that defined American culture for decades.
vintage television set with static screen in dark room
Ad Revenue Plummets as Viewers Shift to Streaming
The math simply does not work for broadcast networks anymore. Live viewership has evaporated as younger demographics move exclusively to TikTok, YouTube and streaming platforms. Advertisers have followed the audience and left traditional TV struggling to pay the bills.
“The Tonight Show” on NBC has already reduced its broadcast schedule. The show cut back from five nights a week to just four to save money. Budget cuts also forced the removal of live house bands on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and other competing programs.
The decline in viewership numbers over the last decade is staggering.
Late Night Viewership Decline (Average Nightly Viewers):
| Show | 2015 Viewers | 2025 Viewers | Drop % |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tonight Show | 3.8 Million | 1.1 Million | -71% |
| The Late Show | 2.9 Million | 1.3 Million | -55% |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live | 2.4 Million | 900,000 | -62% |
Networks can no longer justify paying hosts annual salaries ranging from $15 million to $25 million. The return on investment is gone. The prestige of having a late night show no longer outweighs the heavy financial losses on the balance sheet.
Political Divides and Controversy Alienated Core Audiences
Beyond the economics, the cultural impact of late night TV has shifted drastically. Shows that once aimed for broad appeal became increasingly polarized over the last few years. This shift alienated vast swaths of the American public.
Jimmy Kimmel faced intense scrutiny this year following controversial comments regarding the Charlie Kirk incident. The backlash was swift and severe. ABC placed the host on a temporary benching suspension as advertisers threatened to pull their campaigns.
Critics argue that hosts prioritized political lectures over comedy.
“The audience didn’t leave late night. Late night left the audience by choosing activism over entertainment.”
This polarization created a massive opening for competitors who offered something different. Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” consistently outperformed broadcast network rivals despite having a smaller budget and weaker time slot. This success proved that millions of viewers felt ignored or insulted by the standard Hollywood narrative.
Hosts like Colbert and Kimmel catered specifically to liberal demographics. While this secured a loyal niche, it capped their growth potential. It ultimately made them vulnerable when the advertising market contracted.
Podcasts and Digital Creators Are the New Kings of Comedy
The death of late night TV is not the death of comedy or conversation. It is simply a changing of the guard. The cultural conversation has moved to long form audio and digital video.
Podcasters have become the new Johnny Carsons. They offer authenticity and unscripted dialogue that feels fresh compared to the rehearsed and teleprompter heavy nature of TV.
Top creators dominating the space include:
- Joe Rogan: The undisputed king of long form interviews.
- Theo Von: Brings a chaotic and relatable energy that young men love.
- Tim Dillon: Offers biting satirical analysis of current events.
- Andrew Schulz: Revolutionized how stand up comedy is distributed online.
These creators operate with minimal overhead costs. They do not need million dollar writers’ rooms, expensive sets or union crews. They speak directly to their audience without network censors filtering their words.
This digital revolution has made the rigid format of a desk and a guest feel like a relic from a bygone era. Viewers want raw connection. They want deep dives. They do not want prepared anecdotes and PR friendly celebrity plugs.
The collapse of 2025 was inevitable. It was the year the dam finally broke. The expensive, polished and politically charged era of late night TV has ended. The future belongs to the independent creators who are ready to listen rather than lecture.
It is truly the end of an era for American television. The familiar comfort of falling asleep to a monologue is gone, replaced by the on demand nature of the digital age. While we may miss the tradition, the market has spoken clearly about what it wants next.
What do you think about the cancellation of these major shows? Do you still watch live TV or have you moved to podcasts? Let us know in the comments below or share your thoughts on X using #LateNightIsDead.
