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'Late Show' final season earns record nine Emmy nominations after CBS cancellation

NEW YORK, July 9. Nine Emmy nominations went to the final season of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Wednesday, the most the program has earned in Colbert's 11-year tenure. The total doubles the show's previous record of five and arrives months after CBS ended the series, citing losses the network reported at $40 million per year.

By Corinne Ashford2 min read
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Key takeaways

  • The final season of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" received nine Emmy nominations, the most in Colbert's 11-year tenure and double its previous record of five.
  • CBS canceled the series, citing financial losses it reported at $40 million per year, with the last episode airing May 21.
  • Five of the nine nominations came from the May 21 finale, spanning both creative and technical categories including Outstanding Variety Series.
  • Over Colbert's run the show earned more than 40 nominations and won two in 2025 — Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series — both awarded after the cancellation was announced.
  • The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 14.

NEW YORK, July 9. Nine Emmy nominations went to the final season of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Wednesday, the most the program has earned in Colbert's 11-year tenure. The total doubles the show's previous record of five and arrives months after CBS ended the series, citing losses the network reported at $40 million per year.

A record set in the final season

The show's five-nomination mark had been reached three times before: in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The nine nominations cover both creative and technical categories. They include Outstanding Variety Series, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series, Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Series, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming, and Outstanding Music Direction. Five of the nine came from the May 21 finale.

Over Colbert's run, "The Late Show" collected more than 40 nominations and converted two into wins, both in 2025: Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. The Television Academy awarded both after CBS had already announced the cancellation.

The cancellation dispute

CBS ended "The Late Show" last year for what it called financial reasons. Colbert and several commentators have argued the decision reflected pressure from the Trump administration ahead of a large Paramount merger requiring FCC approval. CBS has not publicly addressed those claims. Asked by Fox News Digital for comment, the network pointed to an Instagram post congratulating the series on its nominations.

Colbert addressed the cancellation at the Writers Guild Awards in March. "This is not the 1950s," he said. "This is not the Red Scare. And, as far as I can tell, no one in late night is fomenting a revolution. As we know, the revolution will not be televised. It was going to be televised, but then Paramount bought it."

At his Emmy acceptance speech for one of the two wins, Colbert spoke in broader terms. "Sometimes, you only know how much you love something when you get a sense you might be losing it," he said. "I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America."

Emmy calendar

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 14. "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" aired its last episode May 21.

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Frequently asked

How many Emmy nominations did the final season receive, and how does that compare to before?

It received nine nominations, the most in Colbert's 11-year tenure, doubling the show's previous record of five, which had been reached in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Why did CBS cancel 'The Late Show'?

CBS said it ended the show for financial reasons, citing losses it reported at $40 million per year, though Colbert and some commentators argued the decision reflected political pressure ahead of a Paramount merger requiring FCC approval.

Did the show win any Emmys during Colbert's tenure?

Yes, it converted two of more than 40 nominations into wins, both in 2025: Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, awarded after CBS announced the cancellation.

When will the Emmy Awards air and when did the show end?

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 14, and 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' aired its final episode on May 21.