CBS News chief Bari Weiss has signaled that veteran anchor Gayle King's reported $15 million annual salary is unsustainable in today's challenging media landscape, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The high compensation, long a hallmark of top-tier network talent, faces pressure from declining linear TV revenues, shrinking ad budgets, and a broader industry shift toward lower-cost digital and streaming formats. Weiss, who took the helm at CBS News in late 2025 following Paramount's acquisition of her platform The Free Press, is reportedly prioritizing cost efficiencies amid ongoing restructuring efforts at the division.
King, 71, a longtime co-host of CBS Mornings and one of the network's most recognizable faces, is actively considering her future options within CBS.
- Transitioning to a special correspondent role, which would allow occasional high-profile appearances and major interviews across CBS News properties without the demands of daily hosting.
- Accepting a one-year "farewell" deal at a significantly reduced salary, providing a structured wind-down period to say goodbye to viewers while maintaining visibility.
Recent reports suggest King has already agreed to a substantial pay cut—potentially around 50%—bringing her 2026 earnings closer to $10 million in exchange for a part-time schedule and reduced on-air commitments.
The adjustment follows a low-key meeting with Weiss and aligns with broader changes at the network, including shifts in CBS Mornings personnel and programming.
Beyond personnel moves, expectations are growing that Weiss could pursue a larger overhaul of CBS News' streaming service. This might involve leaning more heavily into talk-heavy podcasts and opinion-driven content to attract digital audiences, reduce production expenses, and adapt to evolving viewer habits in a post-linear era.
These developments reflect wider industry trends, where legacy networks grapple with audience fragmentation, competition from podcasts and streaming platforms, and the need to balance star power with fiscal reality. While King's enduring popularity and interview prowess remain assets, the era of mega-salaries for morning show anchors appears increasingly at odds with the current economic pressures facing CBS and its peers.