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Gayle King’s “CBS Mornings” Future Up in the Air Amid Network Shake-Up
Speculation is swirling that Gayle King, a familiar face on “CBS Mornings” for over a decade, may be stepping away from the anchor desk as early as next year. Her contract with CBS News is set to expire in May 2026, and sources close to the situation suggest network executives are considering a transition for King into a production-focused role, moving her away from her current on-air duties.
This potential shift comes as Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, undergoes significant changes following its acquisition by Skydance Media and the Ellison family. A spokesperson for CBS News, however, stated there have been “no discussions with Gayle about her contract,” emphasizing her value to the network and expressing anticipation for future conversations.
The news follows a series of recent departures and role adjustments within CBS. Earlier this year, former “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell moved to a senior correspondent position.
More recently, CBS announced the cancellation of its weekend morning programming, leading to the exits of co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, executive producer Brian Applegate, and correspondents Lisa Ling and Nikki Battiste. Additionally, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is slated to conclude in May, and John Dickerson is departing “CBS Evening News.”
Removing a personality as prominent as King from morning television is not without risk. The success of morning shows often hinges on the strong connection viewers feel with their hosts. Past examples, such as the ratings struggles “NBC’s Today” faced after Deborah Norville replaced Jane Pauley in 1989 and again after Ann Curry’s departure in 2012, highlight this sensitivity.
Currently, “CBS Mornings” trails its competitors in viewership. For the week ending October 20, the program averaged 1.8 million viewers, while ABC’s “Good Morning America” led with 2.71 million and NBC’s “Today” followed closely with 2.69 million, according to Nielsen data.
King joined CBS News in November 2011 and began co-anchoring “CBS This Morning” (now “CBS Mornings”) in January 2012, marking a significant 14-year run in morning television. Throughout her tenure, she has been involved in several high-profile moments, including her notable 2019 interview with R.
Kelly, where she maintained her composure as the singer vehemently denied sexual abuse charges that ultimately led to his imprisonment. This year, King also participated in a Blue Origin space flight with an all-female crew.
Her long-standing friendship with Oprah Winfrey has also been a valuable asset to CBS News.