Gayle King, the longtime host of CBS Mornings, is expected to depart the morning news program next year, according to a report in Variety — and Globe can exclusively reveal who is in talks to replace her.
On Thursday, October 30, Variety reported that four people familiar with the situation claimed King may shift to a new role within the organization since her contract is set to expire in May.
The move would be part of a huge overhaul currently happening at CBS’ parent company, Paramount Skydance.
While a CBS News spokesperson told Variety that there have been “no discussions with Gayle about her contract,” an attorney for King did not respond to the publication’s multiple requests for comment.
Globe has now learned that beloved TV anchor Hoda Kotb could soon come to the rescue and that Bari Weiss (who was recently named editor-in-chief of CBS News) has been quietly pursuing the Today alum, 61.
“Bari wants a huge name who brings warmth, credibility — and viewers. And Hoda checks every box,” a network source tells Globe, adding that the hope is for Kotb to bring up viewership. “CBS is done accepting third place.”
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Kotb stepped away from Today at the beginning of the year, emphasizing that she wanted to spend more time with her two daughters, Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 6.
But one source tells Globe that Kotb has now “realized that her real power is mornings,” adding: “Hoda is morning TV. She’s the comfort America trusts with its coffee.”
And Weiss, 41, is apparently trying to sweeten the deal. “For the first time, she’d be the star,” says a rival exec. “No Savannah [Guthrie]. No Kathie Lee [Gifford]. No shadows. Bari is offering her the spotlight — and the kingdom that comes with it.”
The only thing that may derail Kotb is her current deal with NBC, but multiple insiders say the fine print is “nowhere near ironclad.”
As for King, says a source, “Gayle sees the writing on the cue cards. CBS wants change — and they want it yesterday.”
This story With Gayle King Expected to Exit ‘CBS Mornings,’ Hoda Kotb Is in Talks to Take Over (Exclusive) first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here.