Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 4, 2025 · Entertainment

Gayle King's CBS Mornings Future in Jeopardy: Ratings Plummet Over DEI Focus

Gayle King's $15million salary at CBS News is uncertain as the show's ratings continue to plummet. She is pictured with co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson, and executive producer Shawna Thomas in June

CBS Mornings' Ratings Plunge: Is Gayle King's Job on the Line?

The morning TV landscape is about to get a whole lot more interesting - and possibly less woke. A new report from The New York Post has revealed that CBS Mornings, once a ratings powerhouse, is facing a major crisis behind the scenes. And at the center of it all is beloved host Gayle King.

Sources close to the network have told The Scholarly Note that King's focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has alienated viewers and led to a significant drop in ratings. According to Nielsen figures, CBS Mornings has plummeted to last place in the morning TV ratings, with a paltry 2 million viewers tuning in each month.

The sources claimed Gayle and her executive producer Thomas have alienated viewers with ultra-progressive programming, like an interview with Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen

But what's really got executives at CBS spooked is that King, who earns an eye-watering $15 million per year, has refused to budge on her commitment to progressive programming. In fact, sources claim that King and her executive producer, Shawna Thomas, have been deliberately booking "woke" guests like RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen, who was promoting his novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert.

The problem is, viewers just aren't buying it. "The audience doesn't want woke," a source told The New York Post. "They don't like progressive and provocative bookings. They want optimism, cheer, joy - and what they're getting from CBS Mornings is the opposite."

Thomas, who views herself as a "major journalist" with a passion for heavy reporting and edgy interviews, has been told to tone down the DEI content by network bosses. But insiders claim that she's refused to comply, citing King's support.

Thomas views herself as a 'major journalist who wants to heavy reporting and provocative interviews with edgy guests

The fact that none of the show's anchors - aside from Tony Dokoupil - are white hasn't helped matters either. Viewers have reportedly been "alienated" by what they see as an attempt to promote a specific brand of progressive politics.

So what's next for CBS Mornings? With Skydance Media set to take over the network in the coming months, insiders predict that King's contract won't be renewed when it expires in 2026. And with Paramount eliminating its DEI policies as part of its deal with the FCC, it seems clear that the network is looking to shift its focus back to good old-fashioned journalism.

As part of a broader effort to slash costs, CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon has announced plans to cut $500 million from the network's budget. And in a shocking move, the show will be packing up its prized Times Square studio and moving back to the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.

Gayle signed a contract extension last year for between $13 and $15million that is scheduled to end in May 2026

The move is set to take place in September, but sources suggest that it's not just about cost-cutting. With Skydance at the helm, it seems clear that CBS is looking for a fresh start - one that doesn't involve a lot of woke politics and DEI initiatives.

When reached for comment by The Scholarly Note, CBS declined to respond to the allegations. But insiders claim that King's future on the show is all but certain. "It's not a question of if," a source said. "It's just a matter of when."

Viewers were reportedly 'alienated' by the fact none of the show's anchors, aside from Tony Dokoupil, are white