As late-night television undergoes dramatic shifts, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” continues tonight, Tuesday, September 23 at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS, with special guests Governor Gavin Newsom and Priscilla Presley.
Cord-cutters can catch the late-night show on Fubo (5-day free trial), DirecTV (5-day free trial) and other streaming services listed below.
Where to watch ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ live and on demand for free
Viewers without cable can stream “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” live and on demand for free via streaming services like Fubo (5-day free trial), DirecTV (5-day free trial) and Hulu + Live TV (3-day free trial).
Episodes will stream the following day on Paramount+.
Why is ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ ending?
The long-running “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is officially set to end in May 2026, a decision CBS and parent company Paramount Global insist was “purely financial,” according to AP News. However, the cancellation came on the heels of Colbert criticizing CBS’s $16 million settlement with the Trump administration, leading many to question the timing.
Similarly, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was temporarily suspended by ABC (owned by Disney) after he made controversial remarks regarding the political fallout following the assassination of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk.
Colbert publicly condemned Disney’s move as “blatant censorship” during his Sept. 18 monologue, standing in solidarity with Kimmel and defending late-night satire as a protected form of speech.
The backlash ultimately pushed Disney to reverse course and reinstate Kimmel’s show within a week.
Despite the resolution, broadcast affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in certain markets, a decision made independently of Disney.
Meanwhile, Colbert jokingly called himself the “only martyr in late night” following CBS’s decision to end “The Late Show.”
What are the differences between the streaming services?
Fubo – Fubo offers one of the widest selections of channels among live TV streaming services. More than 220 channels, including all the sports and entertainment you love, plus sports add-ons for those niche networks you rely on, and it all starts with a 5-day free trial and $30 off the first month of service.
DirecTV – Watch live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks. Enjoy local and national live sports, breaking news and must-see shows the moment they air. Included: unlimited cloud DVR storage space so you can record as many shows as you want and stream them from wherever you go. DTV starts at $34.99 per month after a 5-day free trial when you shop their customizable genre packs.
Hulu + Live TV – One of the best values in internet TV service. It costs $82.99 per month and includes 95+ channels, but subscribers make about a third of their money back with the inclusion of the full Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus libraries with their subscription. Hulu + Live TV starts with a limited free trial.
