Gayle King to become 'highest-paid person' at CNN after signing $12M deal while network hits record low ratings
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Gayle King is all set to become the highest-priced person at CNN after reportedly signing a $12 million deal with the struggling network. This comes after the cable giant experienced its lowest ratings in decades. The 68-year-old anchor will be paid per year for one hour of work.
The popular anchor of ‘CBS Mornings’ will be taking over the primetime slot in an attempt to save CNN after its evident collapse in viewership ratings. CNN reportedly faced the smallest primetime audience in the first quarter of 2023 since 1991. A source told RadarOnline, that King was offered to “write her own check” as a demand in the wake of the network facing an existential crisis amid a staff revolt, bitter in-fighting, a revolving door of exits, and tanking numbers. Oprah's closest pal is apparently paired with former NBA star Charles Barkley, who is signed to TNT, a CNN stablemate. Although known for being controversial, the 60-year-old NBA Hall of Famer is a widely respected basketball analyst for TNT.
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King and Barkley 'will be the highest paid on-air pair'
Barkley earns an astounding $10 million as a co-host of 'Inside the NBA' at TBS in a deal said to be worth more than $100 million in total. It appears that he is only considering the role because of the CBS journalist. “Gayle will not only be the highest paid person at CNN, she and Charles will be the highest paid on-air pair,” a source dished to RadarOnline. “It will also make Gayle one of the highest people on television when you add her CBS contract into the mix.”
King earns more than $13 million per year at CBS. However, it appears that she is still considering the generous offer as “at CNN she would instantly get the benefit of a massive marketing campaign and the full focus of a prime-time spotlight. She’s also a big fan of Charles — and the feeling is mutual.” King's salary will outdo CNN’s previously highest-paid star Anderson Cooper, who is said to be on $12 million per year.
First major win for Chris Licht
King and Barkley paired together for the primetime show will be the first major win for embattled network boss Chris Licht. The 51-year-old newsman, who previously helped in viewership success for CBS and MSNBC, has struggled to do the same for CNN as of now.