CBS ends late-night talk shows as Colbert's Late Show concludes. Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed takes over the 11:35 p.m. slot.
- April 7, 2026
AceShowbiz - As The Late Show with Stephen Colbert prepares to conclude its run in May, CBS is finalizing its late-night programming changes.
The network plans to adjust its schedule by moving Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen into the 11:35 p.m. time slot, effectively replacing the iconic late-night series hosted by Stephen Colbert.
This strategic shift reflects CBS’s decision to exit the late-night talk show arena once the long-standing Late Show franchise wraps up. Instead of developing a new talk show, the network is opting to utilize a time buy model, which allows them to fill the slot with syndicated content rather than producing original late-night programming.
CBS has communicated its intention to step back from competing in late-night television, signaling a notable change in the network’s approach to this time period. The move comes as no surprise to industry observers given previous indications from network executives.
With Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen taking the 11:35 p.m. slot, viewers can expect a shift towards a more comedy-focused, syndicated format that differs significantly from the traditional late-night talk show structure that Stephen Colbert has helmed.
This change marks the end of an era for CBS, which has been home to the Late Show franchise for decades, and ushers in a new phase for the network’s late-night lineup moving forward.
