Premiere Date and Network
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered on CBS on September 8, 2015, as the direct successor to The Late Show with David Letterman, with the first episode taped at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. The program airs live on weekdays at 11:35 PM Eastern and Pacific, and its debut marked the continuation of CBS's long-running late-night franchise that began with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962. For more context on CBS's late-night history, see this overview from the network's official press materials CBS Official Site.
Stephen Colbert had previously hosted The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014, and his move to The Late Show was announced by CBS on April 10, 2014, with the network confirming that he would take over the 11:35 PM time slot previously held by Letterman. The transition was framed as a generational handoff in late-night television, with Colbert bringing his satirical style to a broader broadcast audience while retaining elements of his earlier persona.
Format, Production, and Time Slot
The show is filmed live before a studio audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan, and episodes typically run for 38 minutes with a monologue, desk segments, interviews, and musical performances. The production is handled by Spartina Productions and CBS Studios, with the series airing Monday through Friday at 11:35 PM Eastern and Pacific, and the show is also available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day.
Audience and Ratings
In recent seasons, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has consistently ranked among the highest-rated late-night programs in the United States, often competing closely with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Industry reports from Nielsen and trade publications show the program drawing millions of viewers per episode, with particular strength among adults aged 18 to 49, and the show's digital clips frequently perform well on platforms such as YouTube and X.
Host Background and Career Timeline
Stephen Colbert was born on May 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C., and he rose to prominence as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart before creating and starring in The Colbert Report. He has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work in late-night television, and his role on The Late Show has solidified his position as one of the most recognizable hosts in American broadcast comedy. Details about his career and awards can be found in profiles from major entertainment outlets Forbes and IMDb.
Before taking over The Late Show, Colbert built a career spanning sketch comedy, political satire, and network television, and his hosting tenure has included high-profile interviews with politicians, actors, musicians, and scientists. The program has also featured segments on current events, cultural trends, and viral moments, with Colbert often using the platform to blend humor with commentary on news and public affairs. The show remains a flagship program for CBS's entertainment division and a key part of the network's late-night lineup.