When did Gayle King start as anchor for CBS? Details explored as network addresses departure reports

CBS has denied reports of Gayle King being relieved from her current role following the expiration of her contract in May 2026. A spokesperson for the company claimed that there have been no conversations with the host regarding her future.

In a report published on Thursday, October 30, Variety claimed that King could leave her role as the host of CBS Mornings in May 2026. The report claimed that she will be transferred to another role in the organization. This comes amidst reorganization in CBS after Skydance Media acquired Paramount for $8 million in August this year.

However, CBS has denied such reports, as a spokesperson told PEOPLE:

“There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future."

Gayle King joined CBS as an anchor in November 2011. She started hosting CBS This Morning, which is now CBS Mornings. King first anchored with Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell. However, Rose was accused of sexual harassment. He denied these allegations but left the show in 2017.

Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil then joined King in May 2019, before Mason left in 2021. King and Dokoupil have continued on the show and have been joined by Nate Burleson since September 2021.

Also Read: "Feels like a step backward" - Internet reacts to CBS News disbanding its Race and Culture unit

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When Gayle King opened up on her interviewing style

Gayle King at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (Image Source: Getty)

In an interview with NPR, published on December 10, 2022, Gayle King shared her interviewing style, her toughest interview, and more. She shared her love for live broadcasting and also shared the mistakes she might have made.

With her work focused on morning shows, King wakes up early. When the interviewer mentioned that she said she wakes up at 3:24 am, the anchor said:

"So my alarm goes off. I do three snoozes, then I get in the tub because I actually bathe every single day. Then the car picks me up, go to our studio in Times Square, do hair and makeup because I don't wake up this cute. It takes a village. Then it's off to the races."

When asked about her interviewing style, King added:

"Well, I do think I'm very prepared. If an author comes on, I read their book. If there's a movie, I watch the movie, if there's a TV show. And, you know, we have great producers who take really copious notes. Right. They read all the books. They give you the questions and all that good stuff. But I like to read the book myself because I'm always looking for a little nugget that's not on the sheet."

Gayle King also named her interview with Frank Zappa as the toughest one she had done by then, and added that she loves live broadcasting.

Meanwhile, there have been plenty of changes in CBS following the Skydance acquisition of Paramount. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been canceled and will end in May 2026. CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson will also be leaving CBS after 16 years.

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Also Read: Why was Stephen Colbert cancelled? Late-night host reacts as ABC reinstates Jimmy Kimmel, asks CBS whether they’ll be doing the same

Edited by Aditya Singh