Veteran morning news anchor Gayle King is setting the record straight after recent reports suggested she would leave her role on CBS Mornings when her contract ends in May 2026. A statement from CBS News made clear that “there have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” and added, “She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
King herself addressed the rumors during a conversation with a media outlet, saying, “I have no idea” about any departure from the morning show and that she is “glad to be here.” She emphasized that she has not been informed of any plans to exit.
Context of the Reports
The mistaken reports originated from a piece in Variety, which claimed that King, 70, might transition into a different role at CBS — possibly producing her own programming — when her current agreement ends. That story surfaced amid a broader shake-up at CBS after parent company Skydance Media’s acquisition of Paramount Global and a reported shift toward less political morning-news content.
Despite that upheaval, CBS underscored that King’s contract extends through May 2026. The network’s statement read: “There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026.” King has served as a co-anchor on CBS Mornings since 2011 (and under its current branding since 2021).
For now, King remains firmly embedded in her anchor role. As she put it: “I’m here and glad to be here.” CBS appears to support that message, affirming her status as “a valued part of CBS.” The network also noted its intent to “engage with her about the future,” signaling that conversations about what lies ahead may follow, but none are currently underway.
Together, these statements suggest that while an eventual transition may still be possible — as often happens with long-tenured anchors — there is no imminent change. King will remain on the air in her familiar role for the foreseeable future. In doing so, both she and CBS aim to quiet speculation and refocus attention on her work — not exit plans.