Gayle King has agreed to take a pay cut to remain at CBS, declaring, “Let’s just wait and see what happens.” Her decision comes amid major upheaval within the network — as CBS News president Wendy McMahon was forced to resign following a dramatic drop in viewership for both CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News. Despite new owner David Ellison reportedly ready to buy out her $15 million contract and replace her with Norah O’Donnell, Gayle is holding her ground. What’s surprising, however, is the real reason behind her determination to stay. According to insiders, Gayle found unexpected motivation and support from her counterparts at NBC’s rival morning show, TODAY. This summer, while TODAY averaged 2.5 million viewers compared to CBS Mornings’ 2 million, it was the TODAY team who quietly encouraged her to keep going. Their gesture wasn’t about keeping a struggling competitor in place to gain ratings — it was about solidarity among journalists, a rare professional camaraderie that transcends corporate boundaries. Described as an act of “journalistic grace,” the support was something NBC couldn’t forbid, as it broke no rules. Its sole purpose was to preserve a genuine, respected voice in morning television — one that still matters to millions of viewers waking up each day.

NBC’s TODAY Team Bolsters Gayle King Amid CBS Turmoil

As of October 14, 2025, CBS is navigating turbulent waters, with CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King at the center of a storm. Facing a potential ousting by new owner David Ellison, who reportedly considered buying out her $15 million contract to replace her with Norah O’Donnell, King has agreed to a pay cut from $13 million to $10 million to stay on. Her resolute stance—“Let’s just wait and see what happens”—reflects not only her determination but also an unexpected source of support: the hosts of NBC’s rival morning show, TODAY. In a rare display of journalistic camaraderie, the TODAY team has quietly rallied behind King, offering her the motivation to persevere through CBS’s upheaval.

The network’s challenges are stark. The recent resignation of CBS News president Wendy McMahon, prompted by steep viewership declines for CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News, has left the organization reeling. CBS Mornings, co-hosted by King, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson, trails behind its competitors, averaging 2 million viewers compared to TODAY’s 2.5 million and ABC’s Good Morning America’s 2.6 million for the week of May 19, 2025. The show has seen a 9% drop in total viewers and a 30% plunge in the critical 25-54 demographic, according to Ad Week. Amid this, King’s high salary drew scrutiny, with Ellison and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss eyeing cost-cutting measures following Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.

Yet, King’s resolve to stay was bolstered by an extraordinary gesture from her TODAY counterparts, including Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer. This summer, as CBS Mornings struggled, the TODAY team reached out privately to offer encouragement. Described as an act of “journalistic grace,” their support was not about exploiting a competitor’s weakness—after all, TODAY consistently outperforms CBS Mornings in ratings. Instead, it was a recognition of King’s value as a respected voice in morning television, one whose authenticity resonates with millions.

This solidarity transcended corporate rivalries. Sources say the TODAY hosts, aware of King’s challenges, shared messages of support, emphasizing the importance of her presence in the industry. “They didn’t want to see a veteran like Gayle pushed out over politics or budgets,” an insider revealed. “It was about preserving a genuine voice.” This gesture, which broke no network rules, was particularly meaningful given the competitive landscape of morning television, where ratings wars often dominate.

King’s recent appearance alongside Hoda Kotb at the launch of Kotb’s wellness brand, Joy 101, on October 8, 2025, at Chelsea Piers in New York, underscored this bond. Surrounded by TODAY hosts, King appeared buoyant, a testament to the encouragement she received. Her decision to stay, despite a pay cut and CBS’s “sh—y” internal climate, reflects her faith in the network’s potential under new leadership and her renewed sense of purpose, sparked by her peers at NBC. As CBS navigates its future, King’s resilience—fueled by this rare act of unity—ensures her voice will endure.