By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-19 03:15:55 | Updated at 2026-08-20 04:32:48
1 day ago
Gayle King is 'not happy' about a possible overhaul of CBS Mornings that could include a new host amid declining ratings, according to media reports.
King, 71, could soon be joined by Norah O'Donnell, 52, who appears to be on the uptick at CBS News since Bari Weiss began serving as editor–in–chief of the broadcaster, according to The New York Post.
King was 'not happy' with the possibility and 'does not want Norah to return to the show,' according to a source cited by the outlet.
Weiss is considering changes that would make CBS Mornings resemble something like a 'Morning Joe' type of broadcast, the Post reported.
O'Donnell has been appearing in new promos for the show, which is said to have upset King.
She has been substituting for the show, which she previously co–hosted with King from 2012 to 2019.
A separate source cited by the Post described King and O'Donnell's relationship during that time as 'frenemies.'
O'Donnell appeared to lost favorability under CBS' previous leadership, but that no longer appears to be the case with Weiss in control.
Gayle King is reportedly 'not happy' about Norah O'Donnell potentially becoming an anchor for CBS Mornings
O'Donnell, 52, was the anchor of CBS Evening News until last January. Her career seems to be up on the up under Bari Weiss' leadership at the broadcaster
The same source insisted that King was an 'authentic person' who 'loves the news.'
Meanwhile, O'Donnell was someone who 'loves the idea of being on the news,' the source cited by the outlet said.
O'Donnell's profile has risen over the past year, as she was promoted to being a 60 Minutes correspondent in July after previously being a contributing correspondent.
She has also started hosting a women's podcast called Healthful for CBS News.
Before that, O'Donnell had been the anchor of CBS Evening News until last January.
Separately, a network source told the Post that King was pivotal to 'the process of finding a new co–host' and that 'nothing' would be happening without her blessing.
King currently hosts CBS Mornings alongside Nate Burleson, but Weiss is understood to want to add a third person to the anchor desk ahead of a possible relaunch.
That additional co–host could be named as soon as early as next month.
A source cited by the New York Post said 'nothing' would happen without King's blessing when it came to finding a new co-host for the morning show
O'Donnell could be named as a CBS Mornings anchor as early as next month, according to the report
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Should long-time hosts have a say in who joins their show, or should networks prioritize ratings?
CBS Mornings could be modeled after Morning Joe on MSNow, with a mix of current events and opinion.
CBS News President Tom Cibrowski has said that he wants the morning show to be 'more loose,' per the outlet.
It is still unknown when any changes could happen, though they could be phased in starting in September.
The potential overhaul comes as CBS Mornings had its lowest–rated week in history. On the week of July 13, the show only averaged 1.59 million viewers, according to the Post.
That was the first time the show had ever gone below the 1.6 million mark and it represented a 13 percent drop compared to one year before.
Though O'Donnell appears to be the favorite, there are also other contenders for the third morning anchor role.
There are other journalists in contention for the remaining CBS Mornings anchor role, including Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Kelly O'Grady, the co-host of CBS Saturday Morning, is among the names who could join King at the anchor desk
Former ABC anchors male Eva Pilgrim, pictured in March, is also reportedly in consideration for the morning show
Eva Pilgrim, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kelly O'Grady are also in consideration for the position, according to Status.
Tony Dokoupil previously anchored the morning show before being named as anchor of CBS Evening News last year. He started this January.
The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS News and representatives for King for comment.
