The longtime morning show host could shift roles within CBS News to produce her own programs after Paramount’s merger with Skydance, Variety reported.
WASHINGTON — Gayle King, a CBS News morning show host of more than a decade, may soon be in another role after Paramount’s recent $8 billion merger with Skydance, according to reports.
Variety reported King’s contract as a “CBS Mornings” co-host will expire in May and she might stay within the news division, possibly producing her own programming for CBS.
If this is what happens, she will be following in the footsteps of former “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell, who now works as a senior correspondent for CBS News.
“There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” a CBS News spokesperson said in a statement. “She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
The possible change comes as the merger prompted thousands of company wide layoffs this week.
The Associated Press reported 1,000 layoffs began Wednesday and others are likely to follow. In total, the expected 2,000 job reductions amount to about 10% of the Paramount’s total workforce.
“These decisions are never made lightly, especially given their effect on our colleagues who have made meaningful contributions to the company,” CEO David Ellison wrote Wednesday in memo to employees, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The prospect of coming job cuts has hovered above Paramount employees for a while now. Ellison on Wednesday reiterated that the company has been working to restructure since the completion of its merger in August — and noted that workforce cuts are “part of that process.”
King is also editor-at-large of Oprah Daily and hosts “Gayle King in the House,” a weekly live radio show on SiriusXM.
She began at CBS in 2011 and she has since interviewed countless big names like former President Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Angela Bassett, R. Kelly and many more, according to her CBS bio page.
“Her empathetic approach to her work at ‘CBS Mornings’ has made it the destination for people reluctant to sit for interviews to tell their stories,” her CBS bio page reads.
The anchor joined an all-female crew, which included pop star Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sanchez, in a brief 10-minute flight to space in May. Critics voiced backlash against Blue Origin’s flight, calling it as a stunt.
In an interview with Extra a day after blasting into space, the morning show anchor spoke out about the “cranky Yankees” and defended her involvement.
“I know there’s some haters, but I’m not gonna let people steal my joy,” King said. “And steal the joy of what we did or what we accomplished that day. I’m just not gonna let it in. I’m not.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.