Gayle King is reportedly out at CBS Mornings next year. She started at the network in 2011. Rumor has it that Hoda Kotb might return to TV to take over as the new host. Keep reading for more on the shocking switch.
Gayle King Reacts To Reports That She’s Out Of A Job
Gayle King is reportedly on her way out as host of CBS Mornings when her contract runs out in May 2026. The news came amid mass layoffs at CBS after the network’s parent company, Paramount Global, merged with Skydance Media this summer.
Now known as Paramount Skydance, the new owners of CBS reportedly want to move away from the network’s perceived liberal agenda. Cutting back on women and POC news anchors is one way to do that. The network already laid off CBS News correspondents Lisa Ling, Debora Patta, Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen, and Nikki Battiste.
In her first interview since news of her firing, Gayle King said she didn’t know anything about it.
“I don’t know what to tell you about it, but what I am hearing in the building is not what I’m reading in the press, and what I’m not going to do is negotiate in the media,” she told TMZ when they ambushed out her outside the CBS Headquarters in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan, New York City.
Hot Tea: Hoda Kotb May Replace Gayle King At CBS Mornings
Years before she joined The Today Show, Hoda Kotb was a correspondent with CBS. She left the network in 1998 to move to NBC. After years of hosting the fourth hour of the network’s morning program. Hoda Kotb left in January to spend more time with her kids. Fans have been clamoring for her to return ever since.
She does make the occasional guest appearance with her friend and former co-star, Jenna Bush Hager. Hoda is enjoying time at home with her daughters, but could she be lured to CBS?
Globe magazine reports that the new editor-in-chief at CBS News, Bari Weiss, is interested in replacing Gayle King with Hoda Kotb. “Bari wants a huge name who brings warmth, credibility — and viewers. And Hoda checks every box,” the source told the outlet.
The offer reportedly includes a huge incentive. “Bari wants a huge name who brings warmth, credibility — and viewers. And Hoda checks every box,” the insider spilled.
The insider added that despite her public comments, Gayle King has accepted her departure from CBS Mornings. “Gayle sees the writing on the cue cards. CBS wants change — and they want it yesterday.”
#EXCLUSIVE 😳 Gayle King angrily addresses the reports that she’s out at ‘CBS Mornings’ … https://t.co/cBUQMzFQfH pic.twitter.com/4kxeEVpDSJ
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 31, 2025
Hoda Returns To NBC Later This Month For Special Reason
But there is one problem with CBS pursuing Hoda Kotb. She’s still under contract with NBC even if she’s no longer a regular on The Today Show. It was previously announced that Hoda would be a correspondent for the Olympic Games in 2026 and beyond.
Viewers will see her before the Olympics. Hoda Kotb reunites with her former co-stars Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie to host the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 27.
Let us know in the comments what you think about Hoda Kotb possibly taking over as host of CBS Mornings.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
