When Gayle King announced her continuation at CBS Mornings, there was a sense of triumph as she defied the rumors of her departure. However, behind the celebratory announcement lies an uncomfortable truth about her new contract, which many within the network see as a significant step down.
King, who has been a stalwart of CBS News for years, reportedly agreed to a “massive” pay cut from her former $15 million-per-year salary, a decision that came after the network’s new boss, Bari Weiss, deemed her compensation too high. Sources have revealed that King’s new deal reflects a substantial reduction, though the exact figure remains unknown.
But the fallout didn’t end there. In a swift move that many are interpreting as part of Weiss’s shake-up of the network, Shawna Thomas, the executive producer of CBS Mornings since 2021, announced her departure just days after King’s announcement. Thomas, known for her role in revamping the show, expressed in a farewell memo that she was “tired” and ready to move on.
King, for her part, publicly celebrated her new deal, speaking with The Wall Street Journal about her excitement for the future of CBS Mornings. However, insiders say that her deal was less of a victory than it seemed, as CBS News’s latest restructuring is seen as an attempt to overhaul the network’s direction amidst slumping ratings and revenue.
The decision to keep King at CBS Mornings under these terms seems like a necessary compromise for CBS executives, especially after their recent rounds of layoffs and cutbacks. King’s star power and familiarity with viewers may help the network maintain some semblance of stability in a time of turmoil. However, her newly reduced role and salary raise questions about her position within the evolving CBS hierarchy.
What makes the situation more complicated is the departure of Thomas, a key ally of King within the network. Sources suggest that Thomas’s exit signals more significant changes at CBS Mornings and that the show may soon adopt a different tone, shifting from its current format toward something potentially less news-focused.
While King remains a prominent figure at CBS, her continued presence may be as much about preventing further public fallout as it is about personal preference. With more changes expected at CBS in the wake of Thomas’s departure, King’s role in the network’s future remains uncertain.
The situation highlights not just the shifting priorities at CBS but also the high stakes for King herself. Despite public statements to the contrary, insiders say that King’s future at CBS may hinge on how well the network adapts to new leadership under Weiss.
