Gayle King Reportedly Set to Exit CBS Mornings as Paramount–Skydance Merger Signals a Conservative Shift

After more than a decade as one of the most recognizable faces of CBS Mornings, veteran broadcaster Gayle King is expected to step down from her anchor role next year, according to a report from Variety.

King, whose current contract runs through May, is expected to remain in her role until that time. It remains unclear whether the 70-year-old anchor will stay with CBS News in a different capacity afterward. Sources suggested she may take on a new position within the network, possibly producing or developing her own programming.

The possible transition mirrors that of Norah O’Donnell, who stepped down from her role as anchor of CBS Evening News earlier this year to become a senior correspondent contributing across the CBS News portfolio.

In a statement to Variety, a CBS spokesperson pushed back on speculation, saying, “There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”

King’s current contract with CBS is set to expire in May.

King’s rumored departure comes amid sweeping changes at CBS and its parent company Paramount Global, which recently completed an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The July merger placed Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, at the helm of the newly combined media powerhouse.

Industry observers say the merger marks a new editorial direction for Paramount, with leadership reportedly seeking to appeal to more centrist and conservative audiences. Insiders have described the strategy as an effort to “rebalance” programming following years of criticism from conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump, who frequently accused CBS and other legacy media outlets of liberal bias.

The corporate shake-up has already resulted in layoffs across CBS News and other divisions within Paramount. Gayle King would be the latest high-profile personality to leave or be reassigned under the new ownership. The Ellison family’s takeover also marks the end of the Redstones’ decades-long control over Paramount, signaling a cultural and ideological shift at the network.

Earlier this month, media executives appointed journalist Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press and a frequent critic of “woke” media culture, as the new editor in chief of CBS News. Sources told reporters that Weiss’s arrival has accelerated discussions about reshaping CBS’s news identity—and that King’s role at the network was among the early topics of consideration.

Other recent programming changes include the planned end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May, along with restructuring across CBS’s weekend news programs. These moves are seen as part of the new owners’ broader plan to refresh the network’s image and align its content more closely with what executives view as the political center—or, at least, with the preferences of more conservative viewers and advertisers.

Despite criticisms labeling her “too woke” or “too multicultural,” Gayle King remains one of CBS’s most respected and recognizable journalists, with a loyal audience built over years of candid interviews and relatable on-air presence. Insiders warn that moving her off CBS Mornings could alienate the network’s core viewers, potentially pushing them toward competitors such as NBC’s Today or ABC’s Good Morning America.

CBS’s morning show has long trailed behind its rivals in ratings despite multiple format changes and rotating anchor teams. Whether a shift toward a more conservative tone—and the potential replacement of Gayle King—will change that dynamic remains to be seen.