Air schedule and regular time slot
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is a weeknight program that airs in the late evening on CBS in the United States. The standard episode air time is 11:35 PM Eastern Time (ET), which typically corresponds to 10:35 PM CT, 9:35 PM MT, and 8:35 PM PT. Episodes are produced and broadcast Monday through Friday, with rare exceptions for holidays, special events, or curated broadcast windows that may shift the lineup. In most markets, same-day local over-the-air and cable feeds carry the show at the listed network time, while some affiliates may delay programming by a half hour to accommodate local news.
Time zone quick reference for the show’s live feed
| U.S. Time Zone | Local air time (live) | ET offset |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 11:35 PM | UTC-5 / UTC-4 (DST) |
| Central (CT) | 10:35 PM | UTC-6 / UTC-5 (DST) |
| Mountain (MT) | 9:35 PM | UTC-7 / UTC-6 (DST) |
| Pacific (PT) | 8:35 PM | UTC-8 / UTC-7 (DST) |
Where to watch and stream episodes
Episodes air live on CBS, which operates both owned stations and affiliate networks across the country. If you have an antenna, an over-the-air receiver tuned to your local CBS affiliate can pick up the broadcast at no cost. Cable and satellite subscribers can typically find CBS in their channel lineups; channel numbers vary by provider and market. Most providers also offer a network on-demand window that makes recent episodes available within hours of broadcast.
Platforms and digital access
- CBS app and website: Free live streams for authenticated cable subscribers in participating markets, with limited free access for others.
- Paramount+: Select recent episodes and some archived segments with a subscription; availability can differ by season and licensing.
- Third-party services: Streaming television providers that carry local CBS channels may offer cloud DVR and multi-device viewing.
Repeats, reruns, and special editions
When the show does not produce new content, CBS may schedule repeats of recent episodes, which air in the same time slot and are labeled as rebroadcasts in TV listings. During holiday periods, summer breaks, or other scheduling gaps, edited highlight packages or special themed episodes sometimes replace the standard weeknight format. Special broadcasts such as anniversary shows, milestone episodes, or event-driven editions may also shift into the late-night window and carry different runtimes or formats.
Comparison of content types in the time slot
| Content type | Aired days | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New episode | Monday–Friday (regular season) | Late-night format with monologue, guests, and sketches |
| Rerun/Repeat | Occasional weeknights, depending on scheduling | Labeled as rebroadcast; same material, later airdate |
| Special or edited episode | Holidays, summer, event windows | Altered runtime and content focus |
Holiday and summer scheduling notes
During major U.S. holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and major award show weeks, The Late Show may move to a different day, air a reduced episode, or be preempted entirely in favor of network programming or live coverage. Summer hiatus periods can also introduce lighter weeks, clip-driven shows, or reruns with occasional new content. Because these shifts are tied to network calendars and live events, the usual 11:35 PM ET weeknight pattern may temporarily change.
How to verify the night’s lineup and episode status
Because live sports, breaking entertainment news, or network obligations can affect the schedule, it is wise to confirm the show’s status before settling in to watch. Official CBS sources provide the most reliable, up-to-date information on whether a new episode, repeat, or special will air on a given night.
Quick verification checklist
- Check the CBS Late Show schedule page for your local affiliate.
- Look for network announcements when a major awards show or sports event is scheduled.
- Consult network or affiliate press releases during holiday and summer windows.
- Use TV guide apps or services that pull live network data for accurate rebroadcast labels.
Definitions and common terms
Understanding a few standard broadcast terms can make it easier to interpret listings and avoid confusion when the schedule shifts.
- Live: The program airs at the scheduled time with no prerecorded delay.
- Affiliate: A locally owned or operated station that carries network programming within a specific market.
- Rerun/Repeat: A rebroadcast of a previously aired episode.
- Network preemption: When the network moves a program to another date or suspends it to accommodate special coverage or high-priority content.
- Holidays and awards seasons: Periods such as Christmas, New Year’s, and major awards show weeks that often alter prime-time and late-night lineups.
Brief context and production background
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is part of CBS’s late-night lineup, which historically slots talk shows in the post-primetime window. The program follows a monologue-driven comedy format, featuring celebrity interviews, topical comedy bits, and periodic musical guests. Its weeknight schedule places it in direct competition with other late-night offerings, and its production rhythm generally follows the U.S. academic and awards calendar, with breaks aligned with holidays, summer months, and network coverage of live events.
Conclusion and practical takeaway
Under typical conditions, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs on CBS at 11:35 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Local markets may shift this by a few minutes, and streaming availability depends on your provider and authentication status. Schedule changes for holidays, summer, and special events are common, so it is helpful to verify the night’s lineup using CBS official sources or a reliable TV guide.