In a new interview with The New York Times, Colbert said CBS pushed for a contract renewal of “as long as five years” during negotiations in 2023. Instead, Colbert ultimately opted for a three-year extension—one that will now conclude with The Late Show’s final episode on May 21.

The revelation adds a notable new layer to CBS’ claim that it pulled the plug on The Late Show strictly for financial reasons. While the economics of broadcast late night have undeniably worsened, Colbert suggested the network’s eagerness to keep him long-term as recently as 2023 raises obvious questions.

“Less than two years before they called to say it’s over, they were very eager for me to be signed for a long time,” Colbert told the Times. “So, something changed.”

Colbert didn’t explain why he preferred a shorter deal, but the timing is telling.