A shake-up at “CBS Mornings” could put Gayle King in an uncomfortable position just as the network searches for a way to revive its struggling morning franchise.
King is reportedly unhappy about the possibility of Norah O’Donnell returning to the anchor desk, while CBS leadership weighs broader changes to the program.
The tension comes as ratings hit a historic low and O’Donnell’s profile at CBS News rises again, creating a complicated crossroads for King and the show.
The pressure surrounding “CBS Mornings” is not simply about finding another familiar face. The program recently recorded its lowest-rated week in history, averaging just 1.59 million viewers during the week of July 13.
According to the New York Post, it was the first time the broadcast had fallen below the 1.6 million mark and represented a 13 percent drop compared with the same period a year earlier.
That performance has placed renewed attention on the future of the anchor desk. Gayle King currently hosts the program alongside Nate Burleson, but CBS leadership is reportedly considering adding a third anchor as part of a broader effort to change the show’s trajectory.
Norah O’Donnell has emerged as one of the leading possibilities. She has been appearing as a substitute on the program, and new promotional material featuring her reportedly upset King. One source said King was “not happy” and “does not want Norah to return to the show.”
The possibility is particularly notable because King is reportedly not a passive participant in the decision.
A network source said she is central to “the process of finding a new co-host” and that “nothing will happen without her blessing.”
King And O’Donnell Have A Complicated History
The potential return of Norah O’Donnell carries more history than simply bringing back an experienced CBS journalist.
O’Donnell and Gayle King previously co-anchored the morning program from 2012 to 2019, meaning a new partnership would revive a professional relationship that has already played out on the same set.
One source described the pair as cordial colleagues bordering on “frenemies,” pointing to the strained dynamic they reportedly had during their earlier time together.
Another source framed their professional approaches differently, describing the 71-year-old as someone who is “authentic” and “loves the news,” while saying O’Donnell “loves the idea of being on the news.”
O’Donnell’s potential return is also taking place against the backdrop of a changing environment at CBS News. Her standing within the organization appears to have improved since Bari Weiss became editor-in-chief.
O’Donnell had previously lost favorability under CBS’ former leadership, but her recent assignments have given her renewed visibility.
In July, she was promoted to become a “60 Minutes” correspondent after previously serving as a contributing correspondent. She has also taken on a new role hosting the CBS News women’s podcast “Healthful.”
Gayle King Could See The Morning Show Take A Very Different Shape
4The discussion around Norah O’Donnell is happening alongside a much larger conversation about what “CBS Mornings” should become.
Weiss and News President Tom Cibrowski are reportedly considering a relaunch that could borrow elements from MSNow’s “Morning Joe,” a program known for combining current events with opinion and extended conversation.
Sources told the New York Post that Weiss has been considering such a model, although a network source stressed that the internal discussions do not necessarily mean the show will undergo a drastic transformation.
Any changes could initially be limited, with more programming adjustments introduced as the network determines what works.
The proposed format would also change how stories are handled. Rather than presenting a single news segment containing eight or nine short stories, the hosts would spend more time discussing fewer subjects in greater depth.
King’s Show Could Get A New Co-Host As Early As September
4The timing of the potential changes remains fluid, but CBS executives appear eager to make a decision.
Sources say Cibrowski and Tower hope to name a permanent third co-host as soon as September, with some programming tweaks potentially being phased in around the same period.
O’Donnell may currently be viewed as a leading candidate, but she is not the only name being discussed.
Other contenders reportedly include Eva Pilgrim, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and CBS News anchor Kelly O’Grady. That means the final decision could still take the show in several directions.
At the same time, the ratings crisis has created pressure for CBS to experiment. One insider offered a blunt assessment of the show’s current position, noting, “The show is f-cked. They need to try something!”
Why Gayle King Was Willing To Sacrifice Millions For CBS
4King’s decision to remain at CBS came with a financial trade-off that made her new contract particularly surprising.
After months of speculation that she could leave “CBS Mornings” when her previous deal expired in May, the host ultimately signed a new agreement with CBS News, but reports indicate she accepted a substantial pay cut to stay.
According to The Blast, her previous contract was reportedly worth about $15 million annually, with a CBS insider describing the reduction as “a pretty big shave.”
King, however, made clear that money was not the only factor in her decision. “CBS News is my longtime home, and I am committed to our mission,” she said after the deal was announced. She added, “I’m excited about continuing at CBS Mornings.”