After much speculation, Gayle King is reportedly finalizing a deal with CNN to host a weekly primetime television show.
According to The Wall Street Journal, King is in the closing stages of an agreement to join CNN, with negotiations ongoing with Inside the NBA’s Charles Barkley to join King on the program.
Last week, King said she had no interest in leaving CBS Mornings anytime soon.
“I’m very close to Chris Licht. I like him very much, but on that question, ‘me no speak English,’” King joked at AdWeek’s Convergent TV Summit after being asked about a potential deal with CNN. “Let’s just say I have two years left on my contract with CBS, and I have no intention of leaving CBS.”
The 68-year-old has been long rumored as a top choice by CNN CEO Chris Licht — who worked with King during his tenure as the Executive Producer of CBS Mornings — to help improve the networks shrinking ratings. CNN has averaged 575,000 viewers in primetime during the first quarter of 2023, down 30% from a year ago.
CNN is expected to post its lowest ratings in the coveted 25-54 demographic in at least three decade, according to the report from WSJ.
The pairing of Barkley and King originally sounded like a foreign concept, but late last month the former NBA star admitted the only reason he would consider doing a program with CNN is because of King’s involvement.
“I’m only considering it because of my respect for Gayle,” Barkley said. It would be an honor and a privilege to work with Gayle.”
Barkley told The New York Post he was not interested in doing a daily program, which King’s schedule with CBS Mornings would not allow.
