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CBS News is weighing a dramatic change involving one of its most recognizable faces. According to multiple reports, network leadership is considering moving longtime CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King into a reduced on-air role, a shift that could cut her estimated $13 million annual salary nearly in half.
The possible move comes as CBS News undergoes a broader overhaul under editor in chief Bari Weiss, whose arrival has already triggered internal debate, high-level programming changes, and renewed scrutiny of the network’s direction.
A New Role, and a Much Smaller Paycheck
Sources familiar with the situation say Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski have floated the idea of shifting King from her daily anchor chair on CBS Mornings into a special correspondent position. Under that arrangement, King would reportedly appear less frequently, focusing on high-profile interviews and special segments rather than daily hosting duties.
The new role would come with a significantly reduced salary, potentially cutting King’s pay by about 50 percent. Her current contract renews annually and is set to expire in May, giving CBS a natural decision point.
King and Weiss reportedly met recently for what sources described as a low-key lunch to discuss King’s future. While no final decision has been announced, the talks signal that nothing is off the table as CBS reassesses costs and priorities.
Cost-Cutting Meets Culture Shift
The timing matters. Legacy media companies are under intense financial pressure as advertising dollars shrink and streaming services continue to reshape viewing habits. In that environment, multimillion-dollar anchor salaries are increasingly hard to justify, even for established stars.
Industry analysts have noted that CBS News, in particular, has struggled to keep pace with its morning-show rivals. In the fourth quarter of 2025, CBS Mornings averaged roughly 1.9 million viewers, well behind ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today. For a network trying to compete while tightening its belt, trimming top-end talent costs may look less like a demotion and more like a strategic reset.
Weiss’s Mandate and Growing Pains
Weiss was brought in with a clear mandate from CBS’s parent company to bring greater balance and credibility to the network’s journalism. Since taking the role, she has made moves that have drawn both praise and criticism.
Most notably, she shelved a planned 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador’s high-security CECOT prison, citing concerns that it lacked sufficient context and a response from the Trump administration. That decision sparked internal backlash and public debate, underscoring how sensitive editorial changes can be inside an established newsroom.
King’s situation appears to be part of that same recalibration. Sources say Weiss respects King’s interviewing skills and star power but sees more value in using her selectively rather than as a daily anchor commanding one of the network’s highest salaries.
What It Means for CBS Mornings
King has been a fixture of CBS Mornings since 2012, most recently co-hosting alongside Tony Dokoupil and former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson. Dokoupil was recently moved to CBS Evening News, and Burleson’s future on the morning show remains uncertain as he balances his role as a CBS Sports analyst.
If King steps back, CBS would face a major decision about what kind of morning show it wants to be. Critics have argued the network has spent years trying to imitate ABC and NBC rather than carving out a distinct identity. Weiss’s supporters believe this shake-up could finally force CBS to attempt something different, even if that means a less star-driven format.
King’s Legacy, and What Comes Next
At 71, Gayle King remains one of the most recognizable journalists in American television, known for her long-running partnership with Oprah Winfrey and her ability to land major interviews. A move to special correspondent would not remove her from CBS entirely, but it would mark the end of an era for the network’s morning programming.
For now, CBS has declined to comment publicly, and King has not addressed the reports. But with her contract approaching expiration and leadership signaling a willingness to make hard calls, the next few months could determine not only King’s future but also the future shape of CBS News itself.
Whether the network’s gamble pays off remains to be seen. What’s clear is that even the most established figures are no longer immune from the realities reshaping modern media.
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15 Comments
The idea of shifting King into a special correspondent position, focusing on high-profile interviews and special segments, could be a good way to utilize her skills and experience while also reducing costs and adjusting to the network’s new priorities.
Weiss’s mandate to bring greater balance and credibility to the network’s journalism is a challenging task, especially given the current media landscape and the network’s struggles to keep pace with its rivals.
It’s surprising that CBS News would consider reducing Gayle King’s role, given her experience and the value she brings to the network, but it’s clear that the network is looking to make significant changes to stay competitive.
The possible reduction of Gayle King’s role and salary by 50 percent, from $13 million to approximately $6.5 million, raises questions about the network’s priorities and the value placed on experienced anchors like King.
It’s not just about King’s salary, it’s about the message it sends to other anchors and the potential impact on the network’s reputation.
The potential reduction of King’s salary and role raises questions about the network’s commitment to its talent and the message it sends to other employees, particularly in light of the network’s broader overhaul under Bari Weiss.
Bari Weiss’s decision to shelve the 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador’s high-security CECOT prison due to concerns about context and balance is a significant move, and it will be interesting to see how this decision affects the network’s reputation for investigative journalism.
The decision to reduce King’s role and salary may be seen as a strategic reset for the network, allowing it to compete more effectively in the changing media landscape and prioritize its spending more efficiently.
The fact that CBS News is considering cutting Gayle King’s role and salary is a reflection of the intense financial pressure legacy media companies are under, with advertising dollars shrinking and streaming services changing viewing habits.
Bari Weiss’s arrival and the subsequent changes at CBS News have sparked internal debate and public scrutiny, and the potential reduction of Gayle King’s role is just one aspect of the network’s efforts to reposition itself and improve its credibility.
The fact that CBS Mornings averaged roughly 1.9 million viewers in the fourth quarter of 2025, behind ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today, suggests that the network needs to reassess its strategy and consider new approaches to attract more viewers.
The network’s struggles to keep pace with its morning-show rivals, including ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today, make it clear that significant changes are needed, and the potential reduction of King’s role may be just the beginning of a larger overhaul.
Gayle King has been a fixture on CBS Mornings since 2012, and reducing her role could lead to a loss of continuity and viewer loyalty, which might be detrimental to the network’s already struggling morning show.
Viewer loyalty is crucial, and replacing King or reducing her role could alienate long-time fans of the show.
The timing of this potential change, with King’s contract set to expire in May, provides a natural decision point for CBS to reevaluate its priorities and make adjustments to its programming and talent lineup.