Nationwide — Gayle King is reportedly preparing to leave CBS Mornings when her contract ends in May 2026, though CBS says no final decision has been made about her role or future with the network.
According to People, reports surfaced on October 30 claiming the longtime anchor plans to exit the morning show after more than a decade. Sources said that King, 70, could take on a new position within CBS News and might even produce her own programs under the network.
CBS quickly responded to the claims, saying the report was inaccurate. A network spokesperson told People, “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 joined CBS This Morning — now CBS Mornings — in November 2011. Over the years, she has co-anchored with Charlie Rose, Norah O’Donnell, Anthony Mason, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson.
Her rumored departure comes amid major changes at CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, following its $8 billion acquisition by Skydance Media. The new ownership has already led to programming shake-ups and staff cuts across the network.
In recent weeks, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was announced to end in May 2026, and CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson revealed his exit after 16 years. The company also laid off about 1,000 employees, including CBS Saturday Morning anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, as well as correspondents Lisa Ling, Debora Patta, Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen, and Nikki Battiste.
Despite uncertainty surrounding her future, King remains one of CBS’s most recognizable and respected journalists, having helped shape the tone and credibility of the morning news show for over 14 years.