Gayle King's Future Hangs by a Thread as CBS News Faces Alleged $50 Million Losses
SHOCKING BOMBSHELL ROCKS CBS NEWS: GAYLE KING'S FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE
The Tiffany Network is on the verge of a major shake-up, and Gayle King's future as co-host of their flagship morning show is looking bleaker than ever. Sources close to the network have revealed that King may be on her way out come May 2024, when her $15 million-a-year contract comes up for renewal.
But don't just take our word for it – insiders are whispering that CBS News' new owners, Skydance Media's David Ellison and his team, are looking to slash talent salaries as part of a major overhaul of the news division. The network has reportedly been hemorrhaging cash at an alarming rate, with sources claiming losses of around $50 million per year.
However, in a statement released by CBS, they denied these reports, calling them "inaccurate." They claimed that their news division is currently profitable – but we all know how those things go. It's like the old saying goes: "You can't trust anyone when it comes to numbers!"
But here's the thing: even if the $50 million loss figure is exaggerated (and let's be real, who doesn't love a good underdog story?), there are still some major red flags waving in the wind. Take, for example, the fact that Paramount's new CEO, Jeff Shell, has been vocal about his desire to cut costs and streamline operations.
And then there's the elephant in the room: Gayle King herself. Sources close to the network have revealed that her contract is up next May, and while one insider claimed that her departure was "likely," another said that conversations were still being had. So what does it all mean?
Well, for starters, it looks like Adriana Diaz may be grooming herself as a potential replacement for King. Insiders claim that the network has been prepping Diaz to take on a larger role in case King's contract isn't renewed – and let's just say we're not exactly shedding tears over the thought of Gayle's departure.
But what about the real reason behind King's possible ousting? We all know that her ultra-progressive programming hasn't exactly been flying high in the ratings department. According to Nielsen figures, the morning show has seen a whopping 20-30% drop in viewership among the coveted 25-54 demographic over the past three weeks.
And get this: one source claimed that King and executive producer Shawna Thomas have alienated viewers with their left-leaning booking choices – who knew that people actually don't want to watch woke TV? I mean, who needs optimism and cheer when you can get a healthy dose of social justice?
But here's the thing: it looks like Skydance Media won't be offering King the same deal come May. According to sources, her contract is set to expire in 2026, but given the ratings slump, they might just cut her loose – and we wouldn't blame them one bit.
And if you thought that was all – think again! It looks like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert may be getting the axe as well. Sources claim that his $15 million contract also ends next May, and Skydance Media might not be willing to shell out the cash for a show that's seen better days.
In short, it looks like CBS News is in for a major shake-up – and Gayle King's future is looking more uncertain than ever. Stay tuned, folks – this is one story you won't want to miss!
Sources:
- The Scholarly Note
- Insider sources close to the network
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