If you’ve flipped on a TV at 7:00 a.m. any time in the last decade, you know the vibe. There is a specific kind of energy—part caffeine, part chaos—that defines the American morning. But the morning show with Gayle King, formally known as CBS Mornings, has always felt like the outlier in the best way possible.
While other networks are busy with outdoor plaza concerts or segment after segment of "deals and steals," CBS usually chooses to sit down and actually talk.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle it still works. We live in an era where everyone’s attention span is about four seconds long. Yet, there’s Gayle, leaning in, asking the question that makes a celebrity squirm just enough to be interesting, but not enough to walk off set.
The 2026 shakeup: What’s actually happening with Gayle’s contract?
There has been a ton of noise lately about whether Gayle is packing it in. If you follow the trades, you probably saw the headlines in late 2025 suggesting a massive exit.
Here is the reality: Gayle King is currently under contract through May 2026.
Recently, reports surfaced—specifically from outlets like Variety and WBLS—that she’s transitioning into a "part-time" role. Word on the street is she’s taken a pay cut from her massive $15 million salary down to something closer to $10 million. Why? Because at 71, she seemingly wants "the spotlight without the stress."
Basically, she’s calling the shots. She isn't leaving the building, but the days of her being at that desk five days a week, every single week, might be thinning out.
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Who is at the desk now?
As of January 2026, the core trio remains:
- Gayle King: The seasoned journalist who can pivot from a war zone report to a Beyoncé interview without blinking.
- Tony Dokoupil: The guy who handles the "hard" news and often ends up in the middle of viral debates.
- Nate Burleson: The former NFL star who brings a level of charisma and "cool" that news desks usually lack.
It’s a weird mix on paper. An old-school journalist, a dedicated newsman, and a pro athlete. But the chemistry is what keeps the ratings from cratering in an age of cord-cutting.
Why the CBS formula feels different
Most morning shows feel like a pep rally. CBS feels like a newsroom that happens to have a nice sofa.
They moved back to Studio 57 in the CBS Broadcast Center in late 2025, ditching the flashy Times Square setup for something that feels a bit more "classic." It’s got that mid-century modern aesthetic, orange and teal lighting, and the "EyeOpener" segment—that 90-second blitz of the world’s news—that remains the best way to start a day if you're short on time.
The "Gayle King" Effect
You can’t talk about this show without talking about her specific interview style. She has this "curious auntie" energy that somehow gets people to drop their guard.
Remember the R. Kelly interview? That was the turning point. When he stood up and started screaming at the camera, she didn't flinch. She just sat there, adjusted her glasses, and waited for him to finish his tantrum. That is elite-level broadcasting.
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In 2025, she was still at it, landing exclusives with people like Cardi B (who confirmed her pregnancy on the show) and Misty Copeland. She even went to space on a Blue Origin flight in April 2025. Yeah, she’s 70-plus and literally went to the edge of the atmosphere just for the story.
The "Morning Show Wars" by the numbers
Let’s be real: CBS Mornings is usually in third place.
Good Morning America (ABC) and The Today Show (NBC) typically battle for the #1 spot with over 2.7 million viewers. CBS usually hovers around 1.6 to 1.9 million.
But here’s the thing—the CBS audience is loyal. They aren't there for the cooking segments; they’re there for the storytelling. While the other shows saw double-digit drops in certain demographics last year, CBS has occasionally been the only one to show growth in total viewers week-over-week.
It turns out some people actually want the news.
What most people get wrong about the show
People think morning TV is easy. It’s actually a grind that kills most people’s social lives. You’re up at 3:30 a.m. You’re in makeup by 5:00. You’re live at 7:00.
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There's also a misconception that Gayle is only there because of her connection to Oprah Winfrey. While that friendship opened doors decades ago, you don't survive 13+ years at a major network news desk on "friendship" alone. The woman is a workhorse. She’s an editor-at-large for Oprah Daily, she has a SiriusXM show, and she’s still doing the morning shift.
Recent controversies and shifts
It hasn't all been sunshine and "Abblasen" trumpets.
- Layoffs: Paramount (the parent company) went through a massive restructuring under David Ellison in late 2025. Over 100 staffers were cut.
- Canceled spin-offs: CBS Mornings Plus, the streaming extension, got the axe fairly quickly.
- Tone shifts: Some critics argue the show is becoming too "fluffy" lately, focusing more on pop culture than the hard-hitting journalism that made CBS This Morning a hit in 2012.
How to watch and stay updated
If you’re trying to catch the show, it’s still the same old routine. 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET on your local CBS station.
If you've cut the cord:
- Paramount+: You can stream it live if you have the right tier.
- CBS News 24/7: The streaming network often replays segments throughout the day.
- YouTube: They are surprisingly fast at uploading the "EyeOpener" and big interviews.
Actionable insights for the casual viewer
If you want to get the most out of your morning news without getting overwhelmed, try this:
- Watch the first 10 minutes: The "EyeOpener" is genuinely the most efficient news digest on television. You'll know everything that happened while you were asleep.
- Follow the "Never Too Late" series: If you need a break from the doom-scrolling, this specific segment on the show features the anchors trying new things (like Tony Dokoupil doing carpentry or Nate Burleson swimming with sharks). It’s actually decent "feel-good" TV.
- Keep an eye on the transition: Since Gayle’s contract is up in May 2026, expect to see more "guest anchors" or a heavier rotation of Adriana Diaz and Vladimir Duthiers in the coming months as the network tests the waters for a post-Gayle world.
The landscape of morning television is shifting, and while the "Big Three" networks are feeling the pressure of TikTok and YouTube, the morning show with Gayle King proves that there is still a massive market for personality-driven, long-form conversation. Whether she stays or goes in 2026, the blueprint she helped build—mixing heart with hard news—is likely the only way broadcast TV survives the decade.
To stay current on any sudden hosting changes or exclusive interview drops, check the local listings for your time zone, as CBS often adjusts the second hour for West Coast audiences.