Gayle King’s future at CBS Mornings may be in jeopardy as the long-running third-place morning show prepares for a major shift in ownership.
Last month, the FCC approved an $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, set to close Thursday. The deal will hand control of CBS News to Skydance CEO David Ellison, who has pledged to appoint an ombudsman and curb what critics call the network’s liberal slant. Staffers are bracing for broader editorial changes.
The shake-up comes as CBS Mornings—co-anchored by King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson—struggles in the ratings. The program averaged 1.8 million viewers in July, trailing Good Morning America (2.7 million) and NBC’s Today (2.4 million). Viewership has fallen 10% compared to the same period in 2024, with a 25% drop in the key 25–54 demographic.
Insiders say the slipping numbers have eroded King’s influence. “Gayle is the only CBS News employee making eight figures, and she’s gotten anything she wants for years,” a longtime morning show producer told Fox News Digital. “Now that the numbers are slipping badly, Gayle has lost a lot of her leverage.”
King’s public profile—bolstered by red carpet appearances and celebrity friendships—hasn’t translated into higher ratings. Her July trip aboard David Geffen’s yacht with Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner drew tabloid attention, as did her April Blue Origin space flight, which briefly lifted the show’s ratings before another drop.
King’s advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion could also put her at odds with incoming leadership, which has signaled an intent to dismantle DEI initiatives. Past controversies include a 2017 vacation with the Obamas while working on political coverage.
CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and senior vice president Wendy Fisher have already begun tweaking CBS Mornings’ editorial direction, focusing on stories outside major cities. In September, the show will move from its Times Square studio back to CBS Broadcast Center.
King’s contract runs until May 2026, but with a new corporate owner and an evolving editorial vision, speculation is mounting over whether she will keep her seat at the anchor desk—or face a pay cut and diminished role.
