After more than a decade as a fixture on CBS Mornings, Gayle King is reportedly preparing to step away from her co-host role — signaling another major shift within CBS News.
According to a report from Variety, King is expected to depart from the morning show next year, though her contract technically runs through May 2026. The outlet noted that while her agreement expires in May, she could continue working with CBS in a different capacity, producing content for the network in a role similar to Norah O’Donnell’s after she exited as anchor of CBS Evening News earlier this year.
A CBS News spokesperson told Variety: “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.”
Neither CBS News nor Paramount responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
King, who joined CBS News in 2012, helped relaunch the morning show under the name CBS This Morning. While her co-hosts changed multiple times over the years, King remained a steady presence. Despite her popularity and celebrity connections — including longtime friend Oprah Winfrey — CBS Mornings has continued to trail ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today in the ratings. Reports have pegged King’s annual salary between $10 million and $15 million.
Her anticipated departure follows the recent announcement that John Dickerson will leave CBS Evening News, which he co-anchored with Maurice DuBois. Both shows have long struggled to climb out of third place among the major networks.
This latest shakeup comes during a turbulent period for CBS and its parent company, Paramount. Earlier this year, Paramount settled a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump over election interference allegations. The company also underwent an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, ushering in new leadership under CEO David Ellison.
As part of Ellison’s overhaul, journalist Bari Weiss — whose outlet The Free Press was acquired for $150 million — has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News. Meanwhile, Paramount has announced a sweeping round of layoffs affecting roughly 1,000 employees. Among the hardest-hit divisions were CBS News’ Saturday programming, its livestream operation, and its Race & Culture Unit.
King’s exit, if finalized, would mark yet another chapter in CBS’s ongoing transformation under new ownership and editorial direction.
