CBS announced Thursday that Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report” will be taking over as host of “The Late Show” after David Letterman’s retirement.
Letterman announced his retirement from late-night television last week. During a taping of “Late Night,” Letterman said he would be stepping down from the post sometime next year, when his contract expires.
“The Colbert Report” will most likely end its nine-year run at the end of 2014, when Stephen Colbert’s contract with Comedy Central runs out, effectively giving the political satirist an open schedule to start his regime on “The Late Show” anytime in 2015, SplitSider reports.
Here is CBS’s official statement:
The CBS Television Network today announced that Stephen Colbert, the host, writer and executive producer of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning “The Colbert Report,” will succeed David Letterman as the host of THE LATE SHOW, effective when Mr. Letterman retires from the broadcast. The five-year agreement between CVS and Colbert was announced by Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corporation, and Nina Tassler, Chairman of CBS Entertainment.
Letterman, the legendary, critically acclaimed host of the CBS late night series for 21 years, announced his retirement on his April 3 broadcast. Colbert’s premiere date as host of THE LATE SHOW will be announced after Mr. Letterman determines a timetable for his final broadcasts in 2015.
Specific creative elements, as well as the producers and location for the Colbert-hosted LATE SHOW, will be determined and announced at a later date.
VIDEO: