CBS has not announced a permanent replacement for The Late Show yet

Stephen Colbert's The Late Show is set to end in 2025, but CBS has not named what will take its 11:35 p.m. slot. The network has said it will announce plans before the show concludes, but as of now there is no official replacement lined up. CBS owns the time slot and the studio, so the decision rests entirely with them.

Late-night television has changed since Colbert took over in 2015. Viewership for all three major late-night shows—The Late Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!—has declined as audiences shift to streaming and social media clips. This makes the decision about what replaces Colbert more complicated than straightforward hiring another host.

Key Takeaways

  • CBS has not announced a replacement for The Late Show as of early 2025, though the network says it will before Colbert's final episode.
  • The network could hire a new late-night talk show host, move a different show into the slot, or experiment with a different format entirely.
  • Late-night ratings have dropped across all networks, which may influence whether CBS invests in another traditional talk show.
  • The Ed Sullivan Theater, where The Late Show tapes, will remain available for whatever CBS decides to produce there.

What CBS might do with the 11:35 p.m. slot

CBS has several options. The most straightforward is to hire a new talk show host and continue the late-night format that has occupied the slot since 1993. The network could also move an existing show into the time slot, though none of CBS's current programming is an obvious fit. A third possibility is to experiment with something different—a news program, a game show, or a different type of entertainment show altogether.

The Ed Sullivan Theater, where The Late Show tapes, is a valuable asset. It is one of the most recognizable television studios in the country, with a long history of live broadcasts. Whatever CBS puts there will likely be a live or mostly-live production, since the theater is built for that kind of work.

Why late-night television is harder to replace now

When Colbert started in 2015, late-night talk shows still had a reliable audience of millions. Now, clips from these shows often get more views on YouTube, TikTok, and social media than the broadcasts themselves do on television. A viewer who wants to see a celebrity interview or a comedy bit can find it the next morning without watching live.

This shift has made the economics of late-night television less certain. Networks still produce these shows because they own the content and can sell it across multiple platforms, but the traditional television audience is smaller. CBS will have to decide whether a new late-night show makes financial sense, or whether the time slot would be better used for something else.

The history of the 11:35 p.m. slot on CBS

The time slot has been home to late-night talk shows for decades. The Late Show with David Letterman ran there from 1993 to 2015, and before that The Twilight Zone and other programs occupied the slot. Colbert inherited an established format and audience when he took over.

Letterman's retirement in 2015 was planned years in advance, and CBS had time to prepare. Colbert's departure is also planned, which gives the network time to make a thoughtful decision rather than scrambling to fill the slot. This is different from sudden departures, which force networks to make quick choices.

What other networks have done when late-night hosts left

NBC kept The Tonight Show going when Jay Leno retired and again when he left a second time, hiring Jimmy Fallon in 2014. ABC has kept Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the air since 2003, through multiple hosts and format changes. Both networks have decided that late-night talk shows are worth the investment, even as ratings decline.

However, not every network has made the same choice. Some cable networks have moved away from live late-night programming entirely, choosing instead to air reruns or different types of shows. CBS will likely look at what NBC and ABC are doing, but the network's own financial situation and strategic goals will drive the final decision.

When CBS will likely announce the replacement

CBS has said it will announce plans before Colbert's final episode, which is scheduled for late 2025. The network typically makes major programming announcements during upfront presentations in May, when it pitches its fall schedule to advertisers. Look for news around that time or shortly before Colbert's departure.

The announcement could come in different forms. CBS might name a new host, describe a new show format, or straightforward say that the slot will air reruns or a different program. The timing of the announcement will likely depend on how far along the network is in its planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will The Late Show move to a different time slot instead of ending?

No. Colbert has said he is retiring from the show, not moving it. The decision to end is his, not the network's. CBS owns the time slot and will decide what to do with it, but The Late Show itself is ending.

Could another network pick up The Late Show?

Unlikely. The show is produced by CBS and tapes in the Ed Sullivan Theater, which CBS owns. Another network could hire Colbert or another host to do a similar show, but they would not be continuing The Late Show itself.

What happened the last time a late-night host retired?

When David Letterman retired in 2015, CBS hired Stephen Colbert to replace him. The network announced the decision about a year in advance, giving viewers and the industry time to prepare. CBS is likely to follow a similar timeline this time.

Could CBS air something other than a talk show in that slot?

Yes. While late-night talk shows have been the standard for decades, CBS could use the time for news, game shows, reruns, or other programming. The network has not ruled out any option, and the final decision will depend on what makes financial and strategic sense for CBS.