Tonight’s Late Show Start Time Quick Answer
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert typically airs weeknights at 11:35 PM Eastern Time on CBS in the United States. Local start times vary by time zone and affiliate, usually at 11:35 PM ET minus the offset for your zone (for example, 8:35 PM PT). Start times can shift due to sports overruns, holidays, or special programming, so the surest approach is to check tonight’s listing on the CBS app, cbs.com/late show, or your local affiliate. Below, we explain the schedule pattern, how to confirm your exact local time, and what to expect if pre-emptions occur.
Standard Schedule And Time Zone Mapping
The Late Show follows a largely fixed weeknight pattern in primetime. Because Eastern Time zones are used as the reference, viewers in other zones convert by subtracting hours:
| U.S. Time Zone | Typical Local Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 11:35 PM | Network reference |
| Central (CT) | 10:35 PM | One hour behind ET |
| Mountain (MT) | 9:35 PM | Two hours behind ET |
| Pacific (PT) | 8:35 PM | Three hours behind ET |
How Affiliates Align With The CBS Feed
Most CBS affiliates air the show live or on a same-day delay that preserves the intended local time slot. Some markets delay by 30–60 minutes for local newscasts or syndicated programming, so 11:35 PM ET can appear as midnight or 12:05 AM locally. Always verify with your local station’s schedule page or electronic programming guide (EPG) for tonight’s exact placement.
How To Confirm The Exact Start Time Tonight
- Check the CBS app or website under Live Now or the Late Show section for scheduled start and current stream status.
- Visit cbs.com/late show for the nightly calendar and any pre-emption notices.
- Search your local affiliate’s schedule (e.g., KCBS in Los Angeles, WCBS in New York) for precise listing by time zone.
- Use your TV provider’s guide or voice remote and say, “What time is The Late Show tonight?” to get a tailored answer.
Why Start Times Can Change
Pre-emptions and delays are common on weeknights. Sports overruns, particularly MLB or NFL coverage that rolls into late time slots, push the start later or move it to the following day. Breaking news or special CBS coverage may also shift the schedule. On holiday weeks, the show may move to a different night or be shortened. When these events occur, CBS will update the episode page and local listings with the new time.
International Viewers: Confirming Your Local Slot
Outside the U.S., The Late Show is distributed by CBS Studios International partners and appears on various cable and streaming platforms. Local broadcasters decide start times, so 11:35 PM ET may air earlier or later depending on region. Check your local TV provider or network site for the exact night and time in your country, and use an updated EPG to catch the episode live.
Quick Checklist For Tonight
| Check Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Local time zone offset | Converts 11:35 PM ET to your correct local time |
| Affiliate or network schedule | Reveals any delays or pre-emptions for tonight |
| Sports or breaking news outlook | Anticipates pushes due to overruns |
| Streaming fallback (CBS app or Paramount+) | Ensures you can watch live if the local signal is interrupted |
Behind The Format: Why A Consistent Slot Matters
The Late Show occupies a well-established late-night niche, competing with other network talk shows by offering monologues, celebrity interviews, and comedy bits in a roughly 45 to 60 minute block. The predictable time slot helps audiences build routines and supports robust online episode guides, clip sharing, and social media engagement. From a viewer perspective, knowing the usual start time reduces friction, while the network benefits from stable advertising and consistent viewership data.