New York — CBS News may be preparing for another high-profile change in its morning lineup. According to multiple people familiar with internal discussions, long-time anchor Gayle King is expected to step away from her role on “CBS Mornings” next year, as the network undergoes a sweeping overhaul under new ownership.
King’s contract is set to expire in May, and while nothing is finalized, executives are reportedly interested in keeping her within the news division — potentially with a development deal to produce original programming for CBS. That approach would mirror a recent trend within the industry: transitioning veteran talent into roles with less daily screen time, and fewer associated costs.
CBS News pushed back on speculation Wednesday, saying in a statement that no official talks about King’s next contract have taken place, and that she remains “a valued part of CBS.”
Corporate Transition Reshaping Newsroom
The uncertainty comes as CBS faces deep restructuring following Paramount’s sale to Skydance Media. Dozens of newsroom employees — and hundreds across the company — are losing their jobs. Senior talent across CBS programs have already been moved or released.
Just this week, the network:
Announced the end of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May
Parted ways with “CBS Evening News” co-anchor John Dickerson
Removed the Saturday-morning team, including anchors Michelle Miller, Dana Jacobson, and longtime producer Brian Applegate
Several other recognizable correspondents will exit in the months ahead.
Bari Weiss — founder of conservative-leaning opinion site The Free Press — was recently appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News. Her arrival has intensified questions about the ideological direction of CBS programming.
A Risky Move in Morning Television
Morning TV is unusually dependent on viewer loyalty. Audiences build long-term relationships with hosts, and sudden exits often backfire.
NBC learned this the hard way:
In 1989, viewers were angered when Jane Pauley was pushed aside.
In 2012, Ann Curry’s abrupt departure triggered a ratings slide that lasted for years.
Industry analysts warn that if viewers believe King is being forced out, platforms like ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today” could benefit.
CBS Still Trails Its Rivals
Despite multiple rebrands and anchor rotations over the past decade, CBS remains in third place. Between October 14–20:
Good Morning America: 2.71 million viewers
Today: 2.69 million viewers
CBS Mornings: 1.8 million viewers (Nielsen data)
Skydance CEO David Ellison has openly discussed appealing to a “broader national audience,” further signaling editorial changes.
King’s 14-Year Run
Gayle King joined CBS in 2012, building early momentum alongside Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell. She continued to help steady the program after Rose’s departure, later teaming with Anthony Mason, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson.
Throughout her tenure, King delivered several high-impact moments:
The 2019 R. Kelly interview, where she remained composed as the singer shouted and protested
A high-profile Blue Origin flight earlier this year with an all-female astronaut crew
Exclusive access tied to her longtime friendship with Oprah Winfrey, which has benefited CBS’s entertainment coverage
Industry-Wide Downsizing
Traditional networks are struggling to compete with digital-first news habits. Veteran anchors across TV newsrooms have recently shifted to reduced-visibility roles:
NBC’s Hoda Kotb
Fox News’ Steve Doocy
CBS’s own Norah O’Donnell
Meanwhile, longtime personalities such as Chris Wallace and Neil Cavuto have parted ways with their employers altogether.
What Comes Next?
King’s future is now among the most pressing decisions for CBS’s new leadership. While the network publicly insists that talks are premature, sources say negotiations will begin soon — and may determine whether King remains a visible face on CBS programming, or transitions behind the camera.
For now, she continues to anchor “CBS Mornings” as uncertainty swirls around one of America’s most recognizable news brands.