Stephen Colbert’s Exit Might Just Be The Spark Late Night TV Needs

BusinessMediaStephen Colbert’s Exit Might Just Be The Spark Late Night TV NeedsByToni Fitzgerald,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Toni Fitzgerald is a Pennsylvania-based reporter who covers mediaFollow AuthorMay 20, 2026, 10:20pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryThe cancellation of Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' signals a critical turning point for late-night television. Traditional formats are struggling against online content, social media, and declining viewership, prompting an urgent need for innovation. Experts suggest five key changes: networks should embrace new, cost-effective formats, like 'Comics Unleashed,' and fearlessly tackle hot-button issues, following Jimmy Kimmel's example. Additionally, recruiting younger hosts is vital to attract new demographics. Prioritizing substantive, empathetic interviews over mere gimmicks can create 'heartfelt moments,' while tying into live events could generate 'must-see' television. This strategic overhaul is crucial for late-night's survival and relevance in today's media landscape.Show More "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will end Thursday, giving the networks a new chance to rethink late night television.CBS via Getty ImagesWith Late Show with Stephen Colbert going off the air Thursday night, the future of late-night television is in question. While the circumstances are not ideal—the timing of CBS’s cancellation was undeniably fishy—the end result is. It is long past time for the networks to rethink late-night television. The rise of online videos, social media and direct avenues to interact with fans has made traditional late-night TV redundant. The tantalizing tidbits celebrities once reserved for interviews are now shared on their Instagrams long before they repackage them for late-night gi...