Gayle King’s “very long future” at CBS News may not be as long as it seemed.
We hear the “CBS Mornings” co-host only signed a one-year contract with the network, despite a spokesperson previously telling us “we expect [King] to have a very long future here.”
There’s also buzz that her job at the breakfast show isn’t exactly iron clad.
One source told Page Six King will pivot into a role more in the vein of her former co-anchor Norah O’Donnell, who helmed the network’s coveted “Evening News” and then became a senior correspondent.
Speculation about King’s position at the network hit fever-pitch after controversial exec Bari Weiss took over as editor-in-chief in October. She and Weiss finally sat down over lunch in January, and CBS boasted about her “long future” following their lunch meeting. Weiss then praised King after they finally reached a deal before her contract expires in May, saying “there is only one Gayle King.”
“We’re so proud that she’ll continue to call CBS home. We’re thrilled to have her on in the morning — and equally excited to work with her on new, enterprising projects that bring her talents to new audiences.”
So it comes as a shock to learn that King is only sticking around for a year “for now,” one source said.
An insider speculated King’s short-term extension may be due to “a lot of uncertainty surrounding the morning show at large.”
Weiss plucked King’s former co-host, Tony Dokoupil, off the show and promoted him to anchor of “Evening News,” at the top of the year. The show’s executive producer, Shawna Thomas, also announced her exit in March.
“There’s so much turnover. There’s not a permanent third host, it’s a lot of uncertainty, so flexibility for all parties is a good thing,” the source said.
King continues to pull her weight – and prove her value – we’re told. In March, she secured an interview with Michael Jordan after a years-long pursuit and, “it was a major win for the network, and the fact that it aired after she signed her deal, it shows why she’s a unique talent,” they said.
A CBS spokesperson told us, “Rumors about Gayle’s contract and future at CBS News have been demonstrably false for months, and this is no exception. As we’ve said all along, she is a truly valued part of CBS News and we couldn’t be more excited about our shared future with her.”
Short and long-term, we take it.
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