By Chetan
CBS is preparing for a noticeably different 2027 television season after confirming that four shows will not return. The network is parting ways with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Neighborhood, Watson and DMV, ending a mix of long-running hits and newer programming that helped shape its recent lineup.
The cancellations come as broadcast networks continue adjusting to changing audience habits, rising production expenses and increased competition from streaming platforms. While CBS canceled fewer shows than some rival networks during the latest renewal cycle, the departures still mark one of the network’s most significant programming shakeups in recent years.
Stephen Colbert’s Exit Ends a Three-Decade CBS Franchise
The most significant change involves The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. CBS previously announced that the late-night program would conclude in 2026, bringing an end not only to Colbert’s tenure but also to the broader Late Show franchise that began with David Letterman in 1993.
Colbert took over the iconic desk in 2015 and became one of television’s most recognizable late-night personalities. CBS executives described the cancellation as a financial decision and stated that it was unrelated to ratings performance or editorial content. The network’s position was detailed in reporting by CBS News.
The timing of the decision nevertheless generated widespread discussion because Paramount Global was pursuing its merger with Skydance Media. Some critics questioned whether Colbert’s frequent political commentary contributed to the show’s ending, though CBS consistently rejected that suggestion.
The program closed a successful chapter in its history. In 2025, The Late Show earned its first Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. Following the finale, President Donald Trump publicly reacted on Truth Social, celebrating the show’s cancellation and drawing further attention to the network’s decision.
Why The Neighborhood, Watson and DMV Are Also Ending
Unlike many canceled series, The Neighborhood leaves the air as a proven success. The sitcom completed an impressive eight-season run and produced 156 episodes, making it one of CBS’ most durable modern comedies.
Starring Cedric the Entertainer, Tichina Arnold, Max Greenfield and Beth Behrs, the series centered on a white Midwestern family adapting to life in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Pasadena, California. Over the years, the show developed a loyal audience and remained a steady ratings performer for CBS.
Network executives had previously praised the sitcom’s performance, but economics ultimately played a role in its conclusion. Cedric the Entertainer later explained that after eight seasons, rising production costs and cast salary increases made continuing the series more challenging. His comments highlighted a growing issue across broadcast television, where successful long-running shows often become significantly more expensive to produce.
CBS also decided not to continue Watson beyond its second season. Starring Morris Chestnut, the medical drama offered a fresh take on the Sherlock Holmes universe by following Dr. John Watson after the death of Holmes. Rather than solving crimes, Watson and his team of “doc-tectives” investigated rare diseases and unusual medical mysteries. Despite attracting attention for its unique concept, CBS did not provide a detailed explanation for the cancellation.
Meanwhile, workplace comedy DMV ended after a single season. Set inside an East Hollywood Department of Motor Vehicles office, the series focused on the quirky personalities and daily challenges faced by employees. The cast featured Harriet Dyer, Tim Meadows, Tony Cavalero, Molly Kearney, Alex Tarrant and Gigi Zumbado. Like Watson, the show did not receive a public explanation for its cancellation.
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The decision to move on from Watson and DMV follows a challenging period for several CBS scripted series, with both shows facing pressure to establish long-term audiences. Recent concerns surrounding CBS show cancellations and ratings declines have underscored how difficult it has become for new broadcast programs to secure lengthy runs.
Taken together, these four departures illustrate the balancing act facing modern television networks. CBS is saying goodbye to a historic late-night franchise, a beloved sitcom and two newer scripted series as it reshapes its schedule for the years ahead. For viewers, the 2027 lineup will look very different, signaling another chapter in the ongoing transformation of network television.
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