Observed Signal · Mar 6, 2026 · Personnel Change · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Gayle King Stays at CBS Mornings Amid Executive Shakeup
CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King has re-signed with CBS News for multiple years in a deal reported to pay less than her prior contract, while CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss is reshaping the morning broadcast and seeking a new co-host after Tony Dokoupil moved to CBS Evening News. Shawna Thomas, executive producer of CBS Mornings since February 2021, announced she will depart in the coming weeks. Separately, Fox News hired businessman Marcus Lemonis as a contributor to provide business and economic analysis across Fox platforms. NBC News expanded its live 'Kornacki Cam' coverage for the midterm election cycle, and Versant's CEO Mark Lazarus said rebranding from MSNBC to MS NOW has driven double-digit increases in total viewers, per the company's first earnings call.
Personnel moves and programming updates at major broadcast networks can influence audience composition and ad inventory but do not constitute industry‑shifting technical or policy changes.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Gayle King re-signed with CBS News to remain on CBS Mornings for the next few years; the deal reportedly pays less than her previous contract.
- Bari Weiss, CBS News’ editor in chief, is working to remake CBS Mornings and is seeking a new co-host after Tony Dokoupil transitioned to CBS Evening News.
- Shawna Thomas, executive producer of CBS Mornings since February 2021, announced she will leave the show in the coming weeks.
- Fox News hired Marcus Lemonis as a contributor to provide analysis on business and economic issues across Fox platforms; Lemonis currently hosts The Fixer on Fox Business and Fox Nation.
- NBC News expanded the 'Kornacki Cam' livestream for election coverage to NBC’s digital platforms and social channels.
- Versant CEO Mark Lazarus said rebranding the network from MSNBC to MS NOW produced double-digit viewership gains, according to the network’s first earnings call.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
CBS News Cuts Jobs; CBS News Radio Shuttered
CBS News announced another round of layoffs affecting roughly 6% of staff as editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski pursue a restructuring. Separately, CBS News Radio will be shuttered effective May 22; the radio division supplied programming to about 700 affiliate stations. This is the second round of cuts at CBS News within six months — earlier reductions included prominent CBS Saturday Morning anchors and the show’s executive producer. The article also reports several industry items: NBC News is partnering with tech journalist Joanna Stern (who will serve as chief tech analyst and contributing correspondent) while Stern is launching an independent platform; former NBC News chairman Andy Lack donated $7 million to Deep South Today; CNN won an appeals-court decision related to a Trump lawsuit; the BBC sought dismissal of a separate Trump suit; Debra OConnell gained an expanded role at Disney Entertainment Television; Richard Engel will receive an Overseas Press Club award; and Shannon Bream’s new book hit the New York Times bestseller list.
Media roundup: ABC anchor exit, CBS union deal
Adweek/TVNewser's roundup reports several media staffing and newsroom developments. ABC News declined to renew Janai Norman’s contract; she has been with ABC News since 2016 and co-anchored Good Morning America’s weekend broadcasts since July 2022. CBS News 24/7 and management (CBS/Paramount) reached a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America East following a recent walkout. CNN’s Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond and his crew were detained and assaulted during a West Bank incident; the Israel Defense Force suspended operational activity of the reserve battalion involved and dismissed one soldier. Industry personnel moves include CBS News adding five journalists to its investigative unit (including Daniel Gilbert), NBC News hiring Jane Lytvynenko as senior technology reporter, and Jonathan Greenberger being named editor-in-chief at Politico. The piece also notes Webby Awards nominations across major news organizations.
MS NOW Revamps Schedule Ahead of 2026 Elections
MS NOW announced a wide-ranging programming reshuffle, effective in June, designed to position the network for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential cycle. Rebecca Kutler, MS NOW president, cited double-digit viewership growth across dayparts as context for the shifts. Key moves include Stephanie Ruhle leaving her 11 p.m. slot to anchor a new two-hour 9 a.m. morning show while retaining her role as senior business analyst; Morning Joe returning to a three-hour format; Ali Velshi taking over The 11th Hour; Chris Jansing moving to chief political reporter; and Ana Cabrera departing the network. The changes are the first major overhaul since MS NOW came under full control of Versant after it separated from NBCUniversal earlier in the year.
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