Air Schedule and Typical End Time
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights on CBS at 11:35 PM Eastern (10:35 PM Central). The program often runs a few minutes longer than its 60-minute base slot, so the on-air end time is usually closer to midnight Eastern. Local stations may also insert brief promos or news updates, which can push the sign-off a little later in practice.
Scheduled Length and Format Details
Each episode is structured as a 60-minute show, including monologue, sketches, interviews, and segments. Production routines, ad load variations, and occasional extended musical performances or special segments typically add a few extra minutes, landing the true close around 12:05–12:15 AM ET on most nights.
Typical Timeline and Variables
- 11:35 PM ET: Show begins following Late Show lead-in.
- 12:05–12:15 AM ET: Common sign-off range after natural episode break.
- Occasional later finish: Coincides with major musical guests or post-game overruns.
Live Finale and Special Episodes
On finale nights or major specials, producers sometimes extend the program by 10–15 minutes to accommodate tributes or audience moments. In those cases, the show may end closer to 12:20–12:30 AM ET. Check network promos in the days of a special event for an approximate extended end time.
Time Zones and Affiliate Variations
Because local affiliates handle sign-off and may air brief, post-show news blocks, viewers in different regions can see slightly different end times. Central viewers may notice the show ending closer to 11:35 PM CT, while Pacific audiences will see roughly a three-hour delay from the Eastern close.
Affiliate Practices and Post-Segment Content
- Most affiliates follow the network cue and air a standard 60-minute episode.
- Some markets insert hyperlocal weather or brief news, extending the end by a few minutes.
- Reruns or encore windows may start shortly after the live signal ends.
How Viewers Can Confirm Tonight's End Time
To confirm the exact end on a given night, check the CBS app or on-screen guide, where available segment runtimes and adjustments are sometimes reflected. Alternatively, consult the show’s official social channels or the network’s nightly schedule, which usually list the start and advertised end time for upcoming broadcasts.
Quick Reference: Typical End Times by Zone
| Time Zone | Scheduled End (Typical) | Common Adjusted End |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 12:05–12:15 AM | 12:05–12:30 AM (specials) |
| Central | 11:05–11:15 PM | 11:05–11:30 PM (specials) |
| Mountain | 10:05–10:15 PM | 10:05–10:30 PM (specials) |
| Pacific | 9:05–9:15 PM | 9:05–9:30 PM (specials) |
Summary
In most weeks, The Late Show ends around midnight Eastern, about 25–40 minutes after its 60-minute runtime due to opening segments, ads, and transitions. On nights with extended content, expect the finish to slip to roughly 12:20 AM ET. Local affiliates and market-specific practices may nudge this by a few minutes, but the pattern above captures the reliable baseline behavior of the program.