Gayle King Leaving CBS Mornings After Over a Decade

Longtime CBS star Gayle King is reportedly stepping down from “CBS Mornings,” marking another shakeup for the Tiffany network.

According to sources shared with Variety, King announced plans to exit as co-host of the popular morning show next year after more than ten years. It’s worth noting, though, that while her contract is set to expire in May, there’s a possibility she might still produce content for CBS News — similar to Norah O’Donnell’s departure from the CBS Evening News earlier this year.

A spokesperson from CBS News said that they haven’t yet talked with King about her contract situation, emphasizing that she is a valuable asset and that they look forward to discussions about her future.

King joined CBS News back in 2012 during the relaunch of what was then called “CBS This Morning.” Throughout her tenure, while other co-hosts have come and gone, King has remained a constant presence. However, reports indicate she has faced challenges in boosting ratings, despite her connections to high-profile figures like Oprah Winfrey and earning between $10 million and $15 million annually.

This expected exit comes just days after her colleague John Dickerson announced his departure from “CBS Evening News,” where he co-anchored with Maurice Dubois. It’s been a tough year for CBS, which has struggled to keep up with ratings from competitors like ABC and NBC.

In light of the recent turmoil, CBS News also faced a turbulent time surrounding legal issues, including a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump. Paramount’s recent merger with Skydance Media, valued at $8 billion, has led to changes in ownership, with new CEO David Ellison stepping in as editor-in-chief of CBS News.

The network has also experienced significant layoffs, cutting around 1,000 jobs across various divisions, which has led to the disbanding of segments like Saturday programming and the race and culture division.