Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' Finale Draws Record Weeknight Viewership
Stephen Colbert concluded his 11-year tenure on 'The Late Show' with a finale that attracted 6.74 million viewers, marking the highest-rated weeknight episode in the show's history.
Stephen Colbert concluded his 11-year tenure as host of 'The Late Show' on Thursday night, drawing 6.74 million live and same-day viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen data. This marks the highest-rated weeknight episode in the show's history, surpassing Colbert's debut episode in 2015, which attracted 6.55 million viewers. The finale's viewership significantly exceeded the show's first-quarter 2026 average of 2.69 million viewers.
The final episode featured a lineup of notable guests, including Paul McCartney, who performed 'Hello, Goodbye' alongside Colbert and the show's house band. Other appearances included fellow late-night hosts John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Andy Cohen, as well as Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elvis Costello.
CBS announced the cancellation of 'The Late Show' three weeks before David Ellison assumed control of Paramount, citing financial challenges in the late-night television landscape. The network emphasized that the decision was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night' and 'is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.'
Colbert's departure has sparked discussions about the future of late-night television and the impact of corporate decisions on programming. Despite the show's conclusion, the finale's strong viewership underscores Colbert's significant influence and popularity in the late-night arena.