A New Chapter for Gayle King: Morning Anchor Role to Change in 2026

Gayle King’s long tenure on morning television is entering a new chapter. The veteran journalist and broadcaster is expected to step down as anchor of CBS Mornings when her contract expires in May 2026. While she has anchored the network’s flagship morning show for more than a decade, the current wave of restructuring at CBS News suggests a reshuffling of roles may be underway.

For much of the past 14 years, King has been a central figure in the CBS morning lineup—first on CBS This Morning and later on CBS Mornings, anchoring side by side with other high‑profile co‑hosts. The latest reports, published by Variety and picked up by multiple outlets, suggest that she may transition into a new role within CBS, possibly producing her own content. Yet the network’s official statement maintains that no formal discussions have occurred, affirming that King remains a valued part of the organization and that her contract runs through May 2026.

The timing of this shift comes as CBS News is undergoing broad changes under new corporate leadership at Paramount Global following the Skydance Media acquisition. The network has announced budget cuts, layoffs and program cancellations as it adapts to new strategic priorities. Within that broader context, King’s transition appears to be part of a larger re‑examination of talent roles and programming direction.

For King, who has built a distinguished career interviewing high‑profile figures, hosting major news segments and being a visible face in national media, the prospect of moving into a production or content‑creation role could reflect both her stature and a shifting media landscape. Whether she remains on‑air in a different capacity, or off‑camera in a production role, remains to be seen.

As the morning show landscape evolves, King’s next steps will likely draw significant attention—not just because of her prominence, but because they may signal the network’s direction in the coming years. Whatever unfolds, her legacy as one of morning television’s enduring figures is already well‑established.

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Gayle King Prepares to Exit Anchor Desk at CBS Mornings

Gayle King’s long tenure on morning television is entering a new chapter. The veteran journalist and broadcaster is expected to step down as anchor of CBS Mornings when her contract expires in May 2026. While she has anchored the network’s flagship morning show for more than a decade, the current wave of restructuring at CBS News suggests a reshuffling of roles may be underway.

For much of the past 14 years, King has been a central figure in the CBS morning lineup—first on CBS This Morning and later on CBS Mornings, anchoring side by side with other high‑profile co‑hosts. The latest reports, published by Variety and picked up by multiple outlets, suggest that she may transition into a new role within CBS, possibly producing her own content. Yet the network’s official statement maintains that no formal discussions have occurred, affirming that King remains a valued part of the organization and that her contract runs through May 2026.

The timing of this shift comes as CBS News is undergoing broad changes under new corporate leadership at Paramount Global following the Skydance Media acquisition. The network has announced budget cuts, layoffs and program cancellations as it adapts to new strategic priorities. Within that broader context, King’s transition appears to be part of a larger re‑examination of talent roles and programming direction.

For King, who has built a distinguished career interviewing high‑profile figures, hosting major news segments and being a visible face in national media, the prospect of moving into a production or content‑creation role could reflect both her stature and a shifting media landscape. Whether she remains on‑air in a different capacity, or off‑camera in a production role, remains to be seen.

As the morning show landscape evolves, King’s next steps will likely draw significant attention—not just because of her prominence, but because they may signal the network’s direction in the coming years. Whatever unfolds, her legacy as one of morning television’s enduring figures is already well‑established.