Gayle King Addresses Departure Rumors from CBS Mornings
Amid ongoing speculation about her future, “CBS Morning” co-host Gayle King has shared her thoughts. It appears she may be on the verge of leaving the flagship morning show of Tiffany Network, coinciding with significant changes at Paramount.
As she exited the studio, King mentioned, “All I can say from what I’ve been told in this building is they want me here, they like the work I’m doing, and I like the work I’m doing.” She spoke with TMZ, expressing a sense of uncertainty regarding reports circulating in the media.
“I really love this job and the people I work with,” King added. “What I hear internally seems to differ from what’s being reported in the press. What I won’t do is negotiate in public. That’s just not how I roll.” She seemed both confident and a bit hesitant, caught somewhere between wanting to clear the air and keeping the mystery alive.
The Future of CBS Mornings
Reportedly, King is expected to step down next year after more than a decade as co-host, as confirmed by multiple sources to Variety. However, there’s a possibility she might stay with CBS News in some capacity, possibly producing content, following a similar path as Norah O’Donnell after her departure.
A spokesperson from CBS assured that they haven’t engaged in any discussions with King about her contract, which extends until May 2026. “She’s a valuable asset to CBS, and we look forward to discussing her future with her,” the spokesperson stated, which sounds nice, but who knows what will actually happen?
Having joined CBS News in 2012, King played a pivotal role in rebranding the morning show, which was initially “CBS This Morning.” Despite her connections, including A-list friends like Oprah Winfrey, she has faced challenges boosting ratings for the show. Apparently, she commands an impressive salary of $10 million to $15 million, yet the ratings struggle lingers.
Her potential exit follows John Dickerson’s recent announcement about leaving “CBS Evening News,” underlining the ongoing competition with rivals for viewer attention.
This year has been rocky for CBS News, with controversies—including a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump regarding election interference and a recent merger that reshaped ownership dynamics. Paramount’s new CEO, David Ellison, has already initiated significant changes, including the hiring of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief for CBS News.
In the wake of these various shifts, approximately 1,000 jobs are set to be cut as part of a broader restructuring plan, which includes dismantling several divisions within CBS News.
