In a stunning twist that could reshape the future of network television, Gayle King’s time at CBS may be running out. The iconic co-anchor of CBS Mornings has been the face of the network’s morning program for years, but now, as the 70-year-old host enters contract negotiations, her future at CBS is hanging by a thread. With declining ratings, a looming corporate merger, and a grueling round of budget cuts, King may be facing the end of an era—and a new chapter in her career that no one saw coming.

The Rise and Fall of Gayle King’s Career at CBS

Gayle King, who began her journey at CBS in 2012, rose from humble beginnings alongside colleagues like Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell to become one of the most well-known faces in American television. King’s calm demeanor, sharp political insights, and exceptional interview skills made her a staple of the CBS Mornings show. But even legends are not immune to the tides of change.

For years, King’s program thrived, drawing millions of viewers who tuned in to get their daily dose of news, current events, and a touch of her sharp wit. However, over the last few years, the show’s ratings have steadily declined, leaving CBS in a precarious position. Despite King’s reputation, CBS Mornings has now fallen to the bottom of the morning show rankings, trailing NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America by a significant margin.

This shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is already facing a crisis of leadership after a series of disappointing ratings and a corporate restructuring. The network is struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape, where traditional TV viewership is being overtaken by streaming platforms and digital-first content. Amid these shifts, Gayle King’s $10 million salary—a figure that once seemed justified for the anchor of a flagship morning show—has come under increasing scrutiny.

The $10 Million Question: Can King Justify Her Salary?

Despite King’s longstanding status as a beloved TV personality, sources close to CBS are now questioning whether she is worth her hefty price tag. King’s salary was recently reduced from $13 million to $10 million following a one-year contract renewal in 2024, but it still remains significantly high for a network in financial turmoil. With the ratings of CBS Mornings at an all-time low, many insiders have voiced concerns that CBS may no longer be able to justify paying a top-tier salary to someone who isn’t drawing in the numbers.

“This could be Gayle’s last year,” one media insider said, citing both the network’s declining performance and the pressure to make deep budget cuts. As the Paramount-Skydance merger looms, CBS is under intense pressure to slash costs wherever possible, and King’s contract may be one of the first casualties.

While King has long been the face of CBS mornings, her contract renewal discussions are shaping up to be the most high-stakes negotiations of her career. With Skydance’s executives looking to cut costs and restructure CBS News, there’s little room left for old-school stars who don’t deliver numbers.

The Infamous Ratings Drop: The Big Test for CBS Mornings

King’s show reached a temporary peak in viewership when she made headlines for her space flight aboard Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin rocket in April 2024, drawing in a solid 3.9 million viewers for the exclusive coverage. However, that boost was short-lived, and CBS Mornings quickly fell back into its slump, with recent ratings dipping below 2 million viewers—a stark contrast to its rivals.

This dramatic ratings drop has caused grave concern among CBS executives. As one source put it: “Skydance is definitely not going to keep her with those numbers.”

The combination of lackluster ratings and high-profile corporate turmoil paints a bleak picture for CBS Mornings. It’s no surprise that top executives are quietly reassessing King’s role at the network, with some even suggesting that CBS could be looking for a cheaper, more effective replacement to lead the show into the future.

The Crisis at CBS: Corporate Shakes and Uncertain Waters

In addition to the struggles within CBS News, the broader corporate shake-up has made matters even worse. With Paramount Global and Skydance Media planning a $20 billion merger, new leadership is expected to take the reins—and they may have no loyalty to the legacy talent that has been with the network for years. The company’s recent decision to cut $500 million from its budget highlights the growing urgency to restructure, and King’s contract renewal may not align with these cost-cutting measures.

In the middle of all this turmoil, Wendy McMahon, the CEO of CBS News, resigned amid the falling ratings of not only CBS Mornings but also CBS Evening News. The loss of McMahon and the uncertain future of CBS News leaves the network in crisis mode. With new leadership coming from Skydance, King’s future is now more uncertain than ever.

The Future of Gayle King: Will She Stay or Go?

As we look ahead, the odds are stacked against Gayle King. CBS’s financial woes, combined with her show’s ongoing struggle to attract viewers, paint a difficult picture for the veteran anchor. Her high salary, once justified by her popularity and ratings, may soon be too much for the network to bear.

Will she be offered a short-term deal once again, or will CBS decide that it’s time for a new direction? It’s a question that will continue to hang over the future of CBS Mornings. For King, her options may be broader than simply renewing her contract at CBS. After all, she’s proven that she can make a difference in the industry. But what price is she willing to pay to continue at CBS? And is the network truly the best place for her to thrive moving forward?

The Bigger Picture: Media’s Changing Landscape

What this situation really highlights is the changing dynamics of the media world. As more viewers flock to streaming platforms and digital news outlets, traditional networks like CBS are struggling to keep up. The decline in viewership, especially in daytime programming, is a wake-up call for major media companies to reconsider their strategies for attracting modern audiences.

For Gayle King, this moment isn’t just about her career. It’s about navigating an industry in flux, where established stars are no longer guaranteed success. For CBS, it’s a reckoning about whether they are prepared to invest in legacy talent or if it’s time to build something new from the ground up.

Conclusion: A Crossroads in Gayle King’s Career and CBS News

As the clock ticks down to Gayle King’s contract deadline in September, the future of CBS Mornings and King’s role at the network remains in jeopardy. While King has undeniably shaped the face of CBS News for years, her fate will ultimately depend on how CBS and its new leadership choose to navigate the challenges of the rapidly changing media landscape. Will King stay at CBS, or will the network find a new direction?

One thing is clear: Gayle King’s legacy is tied not just to her role at CBS, but to the broader evolution of media and television in a digital age. Whether she stays or leaves, her story will remain a powerful symbol of resilience in an industry that demands constant reinvention.

Stay tuned, as this developing saga may signal the end of an era at CBS, or the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved anchor.