Gayle King, a 14-year fixture on CBS This Morning, has reportedly accepted a new contract with the network that dramatically reduces both her workload and compensation.
Per RadarOnline, in an effort to stay with CBS, King has agreed to a massive pay reduction that reduces her annual salary from $15 million to $10 million as of January 2026.
Insiders shared details with Hollywood journalist Rob Shuter. In a Substack post, Shuter claims that King actively shaped the terms of her new arrangement. “Gayle called the shots,” one source said. “She knew exactly what she wanted – less work, less stress, but still the spotlight.” A different source suggested the timing aligned with CBS’s financial needs, stating: “CBS loves her, but they also needed to make adjustments.” The source added, “This was a perfect compromise. She keeps her profile, they cut costs, everyone wins.”
King appears to be content with the new gig after being one of many affected the CBS staff shakeup. In October 2025, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss joined the network and immediately began laying-off select staff members.
“CBS Saturday Morning” co-anchors Dana Jacobson, Michelle Miller, executive producer Brian Applegate and a host of staffers were let go.
King addressed rumors she was on the chopping block in October.
“All I can say is this: From what I’m being told inside this building … all I’ve been told by everybody in this building is that they want me here,” she said at the time. “They like the job I’m doing. I like the job I’m doing!”
While the layoffs have been anticipated since chairman David Ellison took over parent company, Paramount, in August, they also take place after Ellison promised the Trump administration that he’d eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies once he took over the company.
King’s job restructure arrives five months before her contract expires.