CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King is set to depart from the program next year as part of the network’s ongoing shakeup, according to a report from Variety. The move follows recent departures within CBS News, including the exit of John Dickerson from ‘CBS Evening News.’
The report suggests that while King’s contract expires in May 2026, she may continue to produce content for CBS News in a manner similar to Norah O’Donnell’s transition from ‘CBS Evening News.’ Despite her long-standing presence on the network, CBS has faced challenges in maintaining strong ratings for both ‘CBS Mornings’ and ‘CBS Evening News,’ which have consistently lagged behind ABC and NBC in the morning news battle.
In addition to these personnel changes, CBS News is experiencing significant corporate restructuring. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, recently completed a $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, leading to the appointment of David Ellison as CEO. Ellison has since tapped Bari Weiss to become the editor-in-chief of CBS News following his acquisition of The Free Press for $150 million. This shift in leadership has already led to layoffs affecting approximately 1,000 jobs, with several divisions of CBS News, including its Saturday and livestream programming and the Race & Culture Unit, experiencing substantial cuts.
The network’s challenges also extend to legal and ownership issues, such as the recent settlement of a lawsuit involving former President Donald Trump over election interference allegations. These ongoing transitions and shakeups are reshaping CBS’s media landscape, with uncertain implications for its future as it attempts to adapt to a rapidly changing industry.