Gayle King Signs New CBS Deal, Shutting Down Exit Rumors
Gayle King is officially staying at CBS and fresh off renewing her contract, cementing her spot. Rumors have swirled for months that King may be leaving CBS as the media […] The post Gayle King Signs New CBS Deal, Shutting Down Exit Rumors appeared first on Essence.
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PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 04: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Gayle King attends the Stella McCartney Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026-2027 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 04, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) 
By Andrea Bossi ·Updated March 5, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Gayle King is officially staying at CBS and fresh off renewing her contract, cementing her spot.
Rumors have swirled for months that King may be leaving CBS as the media giant undergoes an overhaul under its new owners and leadership (more on that later). But the “CBS Mornings” co-host signed a deal to stay early March, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
“Rumors of my demise were inaccurate and greatly exaggerated,” the 71-year-old said in a statement to news outlets. “CBS News is my longtime home, and I am committed to our mission. I am excited about continuing at ‘CBS Mornings.’ As always, I’m open to new adventures here and ready to go. It took a minute, but we got there. And now that we are here, I am all in.”
King started at CBS in 2012. During the Emmy-winning journalist’s time co-hosting the morning show, she helped usher it into a new, reinvigorated era; masterfully led interviews with guests esteemed guests like the Obamas and Melinda French Gates, as well as disgraced ones like R. Kelly; and became known for her ability to approach stories across topics with em>hostile takeover. Weiss dissolved CBS News’ Race & Culture Unit, where journalists of color were pushed out en masse. A couple months after her start date, she pulled a 60 Minutes segment laying bare the severity and cruelty of I.C.E. operations in the U.S., which had been approved and fact-checked. She yanked it so last-minute that it briefly aired in Canada.
Ahead, CBS is not just figuring out how to maintain and grow the currently shrinking broadcast news audience. It’s navigating a new political context, too, now that it’s under Skydance Paramount and owned by billionaire David Ellison, son of billionaire Larry Ellison. David has already cozied up to the Trump administration to help keep his business moves in the clear. His Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition will soon be on the desk of regulators.
Some of King’s colleagues, however, are making for the exit. Anderson Cooper, for example, announced he is leaving “60 Minutes” after the current season concludes.
For now, King’s continued presence on the show will offer more than keeping a sense of familiarity and normalcy on “CBS Mornings.” Her distinct >“ride or die” crew.
The post Gayle King Signs New CBS Deal, Shutting Down Exit Rumors appeared first on Essence.
