Gayle King, the face and heart of CBS Mornings for over a decade, is reportedly preparing to step away from her anchor chair, a move that could mark the biggest shake-up yet under CBS News’s new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.
According to Variety, the 70-year-old journalist, who has steered the morning show through multiple rebrands and formats since 2012, is expected to leave when her contract ends next May. While CBS insists “there have been no discussions” about King’s departure, industry insiders say her exit feels inevitable amid the network’s sweeping transformation.
A Quiet Exit or a Strategic Rebrand?
Despite the headlines, King may not be leaving CBS entirely. Sources suggest she could stay on in a new capacity, producing high-profile specials or interviews, much like former CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell, who shifted roles after her own show’s ratings struggles.
For now, CBS maintains its loyalty to one of its biggest stars. “She’s a truly valued part of CBS,” the network told Variety, signaling that conversations about her “future” will happen, just not yet.
Still, there’s a sense of finality in the air. King has long been a symbol of stability at CBS, not just for her journalism but also for her authenticity, warmth, and unmatched rapport with cultural heavyweights, most famously, Oprah Winfrey. Her influence elevated CBS Mornings to a respected, if ratings-challenged, alternative to the flashier competition at ABC and NBC.
A Network in Freefall?
But that prestige hasn’t been enough to stop the numbers from sliding. During the week ending October 20, CBS Mornings averaged just 1.8 million viewers, far behind Good Morning America (2.71 million) and Today (2.69 million), per the publication.
Under new leadership from Bari Weiss, CBS News is being reshaped fast. Weiss, known for her bold editorial independence and stint at The New York Times, has launched a full-scale overhaul of the newsroom, slashing jobs and killing off entire teams and streaming programs in a matter of weeks.
Nearly 100 roles at CBS News have reportedly been eliminated, with a staggering 2,000 more across parent company Paramount. Among those hit are the CBS Saturday Morning team, including anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, and executive producer Brian Applegate. Both CBS Mornings Plus and CBS Evening News Plus, digital extensions of the flagship shows, have also been axed.
Weiss called it an “enormously difficult day,” telling staff the changes were about “addressing redundancies” and “aligning priorities” with CBS’s future growth strategy.
Weiss’s mandate — backed by billionaire owner David Ellison — is to make CBS News more independent, more trusted, and more competitive. That mission, though noble on paper, has sparked turbulence internally as legacy stars and longtime producers find themselves out of step with the new order.
Behind the scenes, speculation is swirling about who could fill the void left by King and other departing faces. Tony Dokoupil, King’s co-anchor and a respected CBS veteran, is rumored to be a frontrunner for the CBS Evening News anchor role after John Dickerson’s recent exit.