Gayle King, co-anchor of “CBS Mornings”, has extended her contract with the network. The news, initially reported by The New York Post, ensures her continued presence at the “Mornings” anchor desk. While the specific terms and duration of the deal remain undisclosed, sources suggest King accepted a pay cut from her previous $13 million annual salary. This decision is likely tied to the network's impending budget constraints, anticipated after the completion of its agreement with Skydance Media.
A source close to the situation indicated that King's pay reduction may be an effort to maintain the show's overall budget and potentially avoid staff reductions. King has served as co-anchor of CBS's morning news program since 2015, weathering several anchor changes and the show's rebranding from “CBS This Morning” to “CBS Mornings” in 2021. Despite ranking third among the major network morning newscasts, “CBS Mornings” has seen some viewership growth in recent years.
Beyond her “Mornings” responsibilities, King has also been a prominent figure in CBS News' political coverage leading up to the 2024 election. The status of her involvement in this area under the new contract remains unclear. Within CBS, King is widely regarded as a significant asset, playing a key role in defining the network's identity, which is facing further upheaval as Norah O'Donnell's departure from “CBS Evening News” nears later in 2024. She will be replaced by a duo of anchors based in New York, with Margaret Brennan contributing from Washington, D.C.
“CBS Evening News” currently occupies last place among the big three network's flagship news programs, despite numerous anchor changes and format adjustments.