Is Gayle King Leaving CBS Mornings? Here’s What We Know
Reports surfaced this week suggesting that longtime CBS News anchor Gayle King could be stepping away from her role on “CBS Mornings” when her contract expires in May 2026. The news sent shockwaves through the media industry, given King’s 14-year tenure and prominent position at the network. However, CBS has quickly moved to clarify the situation—and the reality may be more nuanced than the headlines suggest.
What the Reports Say
On October 30, 2025, Variety published a report citing four sources who claimed King is “expected to depart as an anchor” of CBS Mornings next year. According to these sources, King might transition to a different role within CBS News, potentially producing her own programming for the network—similar to the arrangement former “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell made when she stepped down from her anchor desk earlier this year.
The timing of these reports is significant. King’s contract is set to expire in May 2026, the same month that CBS will air the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The network is undergoing substantial changes following Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, led by new CEO David Ellison.
CBS’s Official Response
CBS News was quick to push back against key aspects of the report. In a statement to multiple outlets, a CBS News spokesperson said: “There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
The carefully worded statement does two things: it denies that active contract negotiations have taken place, while also hinting at King’s continued value to the network. The phrase “we look forward to engaging with her about the future” suggests CBS intends to keep King in some capacity, even if her exact role remains undefined.
King’s Journey at CBS
King joined CBS News in November 2011 and became a co-anchor of “CBS This Morning” (now “CBS Mornings”) in January 2012. Over the past 14 years, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in morning television, working alongside various co-anchors including Charlie Rose, Norah O’Donnell, Anthony Mason, and currently Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson.
During her tenure, King has created several memorable moments. Her 2019 interview with R. Kelly, where she maintained composure as the singer-producer rose from his seat and shouted at her while denying sexual abuse charges, became a defining moment in broadcast journalism. Earlier this year, she traveled to space on a Blue Origin flight with an all-female crew that included Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez.
King has also helped CBS News cultivate a valuable relationship with her close friend Oprah Winfrey, who has been a supporter since the two worked together earlier in their careers. For a time, King even helped run Winfrey’s magazine published by Hearst, splitting her time between morning show duties and magazine work.
The Broader Context: CBS News in Flux
King’s potential departure comes amid a period of significant upheaval at CBS News. The network has faced mounting challenges throughout 2025:
Leadership Changes: In early October, Paramount acquired The Free Press for $150 million and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Weiss, a digital entrepreneur who launched the conservative opinion site, represents a marked shift in CBS’s editorial direction. New Paramount CEO David Ellison has expressed a desire to move CBS News toward more politically neutral content that appeals to a broader national audience.
Talent Exodus: On October 28, “CBS Evening News” anchor John Dickerson announced his exit after 16 years with the network. Just days later, Paramount initiated layoffs affecting approximately 1,000 employees across the company. At CBS News, the cuts hit particularly hard. “CBS Saturday Morning” co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson were let go, along with the show’s executive producer Brian Applegate. Other well-known staffers including Lisa Ling, Debora Patta, Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen, and Nikki Battiste also lost their positions.
Ratings Struggles: Despite King’s star power and reported annual salary ranging from $10-15 million, “CBS Mornings” has consistently trailed its competitors. During the week ending October 24, 2025, the program attracted an average of just 1.8 million viewers—significantly behind ABC’s “Good Morning America” (2.71 million) and NBC’s “Today” (2.69 million). “CBS Evening News” has faced similar challenges, remaining in third place in the evening news ratings race.
The Risks of Moving King
Removing or reassigning King carries substantial risk for CBS. Morning television thrives on the relationships viewers build with hosts over time. When audiences feel a beloved anchor has been pushed out unfairly, they often tune out entirely—handing ratings victories to competing networks.
NBC News learned this lesson twice. In 1989, viewers rejected Deborah Norville as co-anchor of “Today” because they felt she had displaced the previous co-host, Jane Pauley. More than two decades later, in 2012, “Today” faced another backlash when Ann Curry was removed from her co-anchor role. Viewers didn’t believe the network’s concerns about her on-air chemistry with co-host Matt Lauer, and the program continued losing audience share after Curry’s exit.
CBS must tread carefully. King has been the one constant on “CBS Mornings” through multiple co-host changes and format adjustments. Her departure—particularly if perceived as involuntary—could alienate loyal viewers at a time when the network can least afford it.
What Happens Next?
While the immediate future remains unclear, several scenarios seem possible:
Scenario 1: King Stays Put: CBS and King could negotiate a contract extension that keeps her in the anchor chair beyond May 2026. Given the network’s public statement emphasizing her value, this option remains on the table.
Scenario 2: A New Role: King could transition to a senior correspondent or special projects role, similar to O’Donnell’s current arrangement. This would allow CBS to retain her star power and industry connections while potentially reducing costs and making room for new talent.
Scenario 3: Producing Her Own Content: King could develop and produce original programming for CBS, leveraging her extensive network of high-profile contacts and her friendship with Winfrey. This would give her more creative control while maintaining her association with the network.
Scenario 4: A Clean Break: King could leave CBS entirely when her contract expires, potentially joining a streaming platform, launching her own media venture, or returning to magazine work.
The Industry Shift
King’s situation reflects broader changes sweeping through traditional broadcast journalism. As audiences increasingly migrate to streaming and social media for news, networks are reassessing their financial commitments to veteran anchors. Over the past year, several high-profile journalists have either left their networks or moved into less prominent (and presumably less expensive) roles:
- NBC’s Hoda Kotb and Andrea Mitchell have stepped back from daily anchor duties
- CNN’s Chris Wallace and Alisyn Camerota have departed
- Fox News’ Neil Cavuto and Steve Doocy have transitioned to new arrangements
Meanwhile, networks like NBC News and CNN are restructuring positions and investing heavily in digital distribution models to reach younger audiences where they consume content.
The Bottom Line
Despite the swirling reports, one thing is certain: Gayle King’s contract doesn’t expire until May 2026, which means she’ll remain on “CBS Mornings” for at least the next several months. What happens after that remains to be seen.
CBS’s carefully worded statement neither confirms nor denies that changes are coming. The network values King but is also navigating new ownership, new leadership, significant cost pressures, and persistent ratings challenges. The next few months will likely bring clarity as contract discussions begin in earnest.
For now, viewers can continue watching King on “CBS Mornings” weekday mornings. Whether she remains in that seat beyond next May—or transitions to a different role at CBS—will depend on negotiations that, according to the network, haven’t yet begun.
One thing seems likely: wherever King lands, she’ll bring the same poise, connections, and journalistic instincts that have defined her career for more than a decade.
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