In a surprising move shaking up late-night television, CBS has announced it will cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ending the long-running franchise in May 2026. The decision marks the conclusion of one of the most popular late-night programs, which Colbert has hosted since 2015.
CBS cited financial reasons behind the cancellation, reflecting broader shifts in the television and streaming landscape. The network is reportedly considering exiting the late-night talk show business altogether, signaling a major change in its programming strategy. This move comes after The Late Show franchise, which began in 1993 with David Letterman, had been a staple of CBS’s lineup for over three decades.
The cancellation announcement followed closely on the heels of a controversial $16 million settlement CBS’s parent company paid to former President Donald Trump over defamation claims. Some commentators speculate that political factors may have influenced the decision, though CBS officially framed it as a financial one.
Stephen Colbert himself confirmed the cancellation after recently taping his show, expressing gratitude to his audience and reflecting on his time hosting. Fans and media alike are reacting with shock and sadness, as Colbert’s blend of sharp political satire and humor had made the show a critical and popular success.
As CBS prepares to retire The Late Show franchise in May 2026, the late-night television landscape faces a significant shift. Viewers and industry insiders will be watching closely to see what new directions CBS pursues and how the void left by Colbert’s departure will be filled.
Reasons For Cancellation
CBS has announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will end in May 2026, marking the network’s exit from late-night television. While CBS states the decision is purely due to financial concerns and a challenging landscape for late-night programming, the timing has raised many questions and prompted speculation about other motives.
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors and surrounding controversy:
- Official Reason: Financial Concerns
- CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, have stated that the cancellation is a “purely financial decision” and not related to the show’s content or performance.
- Late-night TV has been facing declining advertising revenue and shifting viewer habits, with many viewers opting for streaming services or online highlights that are harder for networks to monetize.
- Paramount Global recently laid off a significant portion of its workforce, indicating broader financial pressures within the company.
- “The Late Show” was reportedly expensive to produce, costing over $100 million per year.
- Controversy and Speculation: Political Influence
- The cancellation comes just days after Stephen Colbert publicly criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview, calling it a “big fat bribe.”
- This settlement occurred as Paramount is pursuing an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from government entities like the FCC. Critics suggest the settlement was intended to smooth the path for the merger by appeasing the Trump administration.
- Colbert has been a prominent and consistent critic of Donald Trump, and his show has often topped late-night ratings, especially after Trump’s 2016 election.
- Some U.S. senators and the Writers Guild of America have called for an investigation into whether the cancellation is politically motivated, suggesting it might be an attempt to silence a critical voice and curry favor with the Trump administration.
- Donald Trump himself celebrated the news on social media, further fueling the political speculation.
In essence, while CBS publicly attributes the cancellation to financial difficulties in the late-night television landscape, the close timing with significant political and corporate events has led many observers to believe there might be underlying political motivations at play.
For more details, see CBS’s official announcement and coverage by CBS News.
Latest on ‘The Good Fight’
“The Good Fight” has been officially canceled after its sixth season, marking the end of the series and the entire “Good” franchise that spanned 13 years. The creators, Robert and Michelle King, confirmed that the show will not continue into a seventh season, concluding its run on Paramount+ with season six as the final installment.
Looking for a way to stream “The Good Fight”? This legal drama starring Christine Baranski has been a fan favorite since it spun off from “The Good Wife.” The Good Fight is currently available to stream on Paramount+, which is the exclusive home of its final season featuring Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald.
The series follows Diane Lockhart (Baranski) as she joins a prestigious African American-owned law firm after losing her savings in a financial scam. For those without a Paramount+ subscription, there are alternative viewing options. The show can also be accessed through Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, and is available on platforms like Pluto TV, Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Key Takeaways
- The Good Fight’s final season streams exclusively on Paramount+ starring Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald.
- Alternative viewing options include Pluto TV, Prime Video, and various Paramount+ channel extensions on Amazon and Roku.
- The series continues Diane Lockhart’s story from The Good Wife as she navigates a new law firm and professional challenges.
Streaming Availability and Services
“The Good Fight” is available on multiple streaming platforms, with Paramount+ being its primary home. Viewers have several options to watch this legal drama series starring Christine Baranski.
Where to Stream The Good Fight
“The Good Fight” can be streamed primarily on Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access), which is the exclusive streaming home for all seasons of the show. This includes the final season featuring Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald.
Amazon Prime Video also offers “The Good Fight,” though availability may vary by region. Some viewers can access the show through the Paramount+ channel add-on within Amazon’s platform.
Several other services provide access to the series:
- The Roku Channel
- Pluto TV (offers some free content)
- Apple TV (via the Paramount+ Apple TV Channel)
- EWTN Global Catholic Network (limited episodes)
For those preferring to purchase individual episodes or seasons, options include Vudu, Google Play, and Fandango at Home.
Comparing Streaming Services
Paramount+ offers the most comprehensive access to “The Good Fight” as its exclusive streaming home. The service provides all seasons with immediate availability of new episodes when they aired.
Service Comparison:
| Platform | Full Series Access | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | Complete library | Original content, CBS shows, BET content |
| Amazon Prime | Through Paramount+ add-on | Included with Prime membership benefits |
| Pluto TV | Limited free episodes | No subscription required |
The viewing experience varies across platforms. Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video offer higher video quality and more consistent streaming. Roku and other services may offer the show but with varying levels of availability.
Subscription Details and Free Trials
Paramount+ offers two main subscription tiers for accessing “The Good Fight”:
Paramount+ Essential: Lower-cost option with limited commercials, priced at approximately $5.99/month. This plan provides access to the full series.
Paramount+ with Showtime: Premium tier priced around $11.99/month, offering ad-free viewing (with limited exceptions) and additional Showtime content.
New subscribers can typically take advantage of a seven-day free trial to test the service before committing. Some promotional offers occasionally extend this to a 30-day trial period.
Some viewers may also find “The Good Fight” through DIRECTV streaming packages, though these tend to be more expensive than dedicated streaming services. Special promotions sometimes bundle Paramount+ with other services for discounted rates.
Show Details and Cast Information
The Good Fight, a critically acclaimed legal drama, ran from 2017 to 2022 on CBS All Access (later Paramount+). The series features an impressive ensemble cast and continues the storylines established in its predecessor, The Good Wife.
Overview of The Good Fight
The Good Fight follows Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) who loses her life savings in a financial scam and must rebuild her career at a new firm. The series takes place in Chicago and deals with politically charged cases while examining the current sociopolitical climate.
The show ran for six seasons, with the final season concluding in 2022. It was the first original series created for CBS’s streaming platform and later became a flagship show for Paramount+.
The series is known for its bold storytelling, tackling controversial topics like the Trump presidency, fake news, and social justice issues. Each episode blends courtroom drama with personal storylines, creating a rich narrative that explores both legal and ethical dilemmas.
Main Cast and Characters
Christine Baranski leads the ensemble as Diane Lockhart, a role she originated in The Good Wife. Her character navigates professional challenges while dealing with the changing political landscape.
Other key cast members include:
- Audra McDonald as Liz Reddick-Lawrence, a formidable attorney and later partner
- Sarah Steele as Marissa Gold, Diane’s assistant who becomes an investigator
- Delroy Lindo as Adrian Boseman (early seasons)
- Cush Jumbo as Lucca Quinn (early seasons)
- Rose Leslie as Maia Rindell (seasons 1-3)
- Justin Bartha as Colin Morrello (recurring)
The later seasons introduced new characters played by John Slattery, Andre Braugher, and other notable actors. The rotating cast kept the show fresh while maintaining its core identity through Baranski’s anchoring performance.
The Good Fight Spin-off and Connection to The Good Wife
The Good Fight serves as a direct spin-off of The Good Wife, continuing the story of Diane Lockhart after the events of the original series. It maintains continuity with its predecessor while establishing its own distinct tone and themes.
Several characters from The Good Wife make appearances throughout The Good Fight, creating a shared universe. Familiar faces include Eli Gold, Kurt McVeigh, and various judges and attorneys from the original show.
While The Good Wife focused primarily on Alicia Florrick’s journey, The Good Fight expands its scope to examine broader societal issues. The spin-off adopts a more experimental approach to storytelling, including animated sequences and fourth-wall breaks.
The connection between the shows allows for rich character development while bringing in new perspectives through fresh characters and conflicts.
Production and Release of Latest Episodes
The sixth and final season of The Good Fight was released in 2022 exclusively on Paramount+. This season wrapped up storylines and brought closure to the characters’ journeys, particularly Diane Lockhart’s.
The production faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected filming schedules and even influenced storylines in the later seasons. Despite these obstacles, the team maintained the show’s high production values.
Episodes in the final season featured returning characters and addressed ongoing themes about justice, politics, and personal integrity. The series finale provided a thoughtful conclusion to the show’s exploration of law and ethics in modern America.
Currently, all six seasons of The Good Fight are available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ and its associated channels, including Paramount+ Amazon Channel and Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Viewers have many options for streaming “The Good Fight” across various platforms. Each season may be available on different services, with some requiring subscriptions while others offer free viewing alternatives.
Which platforms offer streaming of The Good Fight Season 4?
The Good Fight Season 4 is available to stream on Paramount+. This streaming service holds exclusive rights to the series as it was originally produced for CBS All Access, which later rebranded as Paramount+.
Viewers can also find Season 4 on Amazon Prime Video, though this may require an additional subscription or purchase. For those seeking alternatives, The Roku Channel may also provide access to this season.
Where can viewers legally watch The Good Fight Season 1?
Season 1 of The Good Fight can be streamed on Paramount+, which houses the complete series. Paramount+ offers a free trial for new subscribers who want to check out the show before committing.
The first season is also available on Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel. Some episodes may be found on Pluto TV, which offers free streaming with advertisements.
How can audiences watch The Good Fight without a subscription?
Pluto TV offers The Good Fight for free with advertisements. This ad-supported streaming service allows viewers to watch select episodes without paying for a subscription.
The Roku Channel also provides some episodes at no cost. Viewers simply need a Roku device or Roku app to access this content.
Are there any services providing The Good Fight Season 2 for free?
Pluto TV sometimes includes Season 2 episodes in its free, ad-supported streaming library. Availability may vary as content rotates periodically.
The Roku Channel might offer Season 2 episodes at no cost through its free section. Viewers should check current listings as streaming rights change over time.
Is The Good Fight available on Amazon Prime, and if so, which seasons?
Yes, The Good Fight is available on Amazon Prime Video. According to search results, Season 4 is confirmed to be available on the platform.
Other seasons may also be accessible through Amazon Prime, either included with the subscription or available for additional purchase. The availability can change based on licensing agreements.
How can users access The Good Fight Season 5 through online streaming?
Season 5 of The Good Fight is available exclusively on Paramount+. As the original home of the series, Paramount+ maintains primary streaming rights for all seasons, including Season 5.
Viewers need a Paramount+ subscription to watch Season 5 episodes. The platform occasionally offers promotions or free trial periods for new subscribers interested in catching up on the series.
