A potential leadership change at CBS Mornings may see host Gayle King replaced by former Today Show anchor Hoda Kotb. Reports indicate that Bari Weiss, the newly appointed editor-in-chief for CBS News, is actively considering Kotb for the role as King’s contract is set to expire in May 2026. This speculation arises amid conflicting information regarding King’s future with the network.
Insider sources have suggested that King’s position is precarious due to the show’s lackluster ratings compared to competitors. According to an insider quoted by RadarOnline, “CBS is done accepting third place.” The source emphasized that Weiss seeks a high-profile figure who can attract viewers, and Kotb is perceived as fulfilling that criteria.
Kotb, who left Today in January 2023, reportedly brings both experience and appeal that CBS is eager to harness. “Bari wants a huge name who brings warmth, credibility – and viewers. And Hoda checks every box,” the insider stated.
King’s annual salary is estimated to be between $10 million and $15 million, a significant figure as CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, braces for extensive layoffs following its merger with Skydance. The insider noted, “People with big salaries and small ratings are going to be mercilessly cut – and Gayle fits the bill in both categories.”
Kotb’s potential move to CBS comes with an attractive offer. A rival executive commented that should she accept the position, “she’d be the star” without the need to share the spotlight, as she did with co-anchor Savannah Guthrie at NBC. Reports from NBC insiders in October suggested that Kotb was eager to regain her role at Today, especially after her wellness platform and app, Joy 101, did not achieve the success she anticipated.
Sources close to Kotb have indicated that she has come to recognize her strength in morning television, with one stating, “She is the comfort America trusts with its coffee.” Despite her departure from Today, Kotb has maintained ties with NBC, making guest appearances, including serving as a host for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
While King and Kotb have publicly supported one another, with King even presenting Kotb a farewell gift on her last day at Today, Kotb’s current contract with NBC is described as “nowhere near ironclad,” according to multiple insiders. The evolving situation at CBS Mornings reflects the shifting dynamics of morning television, where ratings and viewer engagement remain paramount.
