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Gayle King and Charles Barkley will help break down traditional barriers around news programming later this year when they launch “King Charles,” a new weekly prime-time show for CNN.
The duo confirmed the move, which had been expected for weeks, with an announcement Saturday afternoon on TNT, a cable network that, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros., Discovery. CBS News, which counts King as one of the most prominent members of its correspondent roster, signed the deal weeks ago, according to a person familiar with the matter. Barkley, who recently renewed his long-running deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s sports division, was an easier transition.
King vowed to host a show that would provide “good conversation without tearing others apart.” Barclay said the program will not attempt to simulate the “clickbait” that press outlets are forced to publish in order to maintain traffic numbers to keep advertisers happy. He said, “We don’t want to say, ‘We’re liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat’ — that’s one of the things that has really ruined television in general.”
The one-hour live program is expected to air every Wednesday “in prime time beginning this fall and continuing through 2024,” according to a note from CNN CEO Chris Licht. He added, “This show will be an exciting new way to bring culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives to our audience, from two incredibly dynamic personalities.”
The move highlights how big media companies are giving up on something they once demanded: talent exclusivity. King, who will continue to work for CBS News, is the latest news personality to diversify her roles at a time when traditional media is fragmenting, and the number of viewers who might flock to a particular reporter has dwindled.
Other news outlets have also begun allowing journalists to handle multiple jobs. At MSNBC, for example, early morning anchor Jonathan Lemire also serves as White House bureau chief for Politico, and weekend host Jonathan Capehart has continued to work for The Washington Post. CNN enjoyed the fruits of a similar relationship with CBS News featuring Anderson Cooper. Cooper is a correspondent for CBS’s “60 Minutes,” and the stories he contributes to that long-running newsmagazine often appear on his primetime show on CNN. ABC News celebrity is giving ‘Good Morning America’ anchor Michael Strahan the space to pursue his role as a football analyst on Fox Sports
At the heart of this growing laissez-faire attitude? Television executives are beginning to realize that they can win new eyeballs for their shows if they allow broadcasters, journalists and sportscasters to ply their trade elsewhere. King’s role on CNN could bring some of the network’s viewership to its home base on “CBS Mornings.” However, there are still rules. It seems unlikely that CBS News would allow King to take on a role at ABC News or NBC News, or that NBCUniversal would allow MSNBC anchors to contribute their talent to CNN.
The show’s announcement comes just weeks before the nation’s major media companies are due to premiere the annual Madison Avenue TV market “in advance,” when US networks try to sell off the bulk of their ad inventory before launching a new cycle of programming. CNN also recently revealed a new program on Sunday, “The Whole Truth,” which features a one-hour documentary on one topic or a deep dive.
CNN could use some new shows. The network has seen a significant decline in its ratings since post-2020 election, and Licht has been testing new ideas across CNN’s schedule, from regular prime-time town halls to a new morning show featuring Don Lemon, Bobby Harlow and Caitlan Collins, and a new animated daytime format aimed at Add new energy and fireworks display to deliver the news regularly. The CEO has encountered some headwinds, with the morning team facing personal challenges. In recent days, CNN has signaled its willingness to continue trying new things, like prime-time runs by Collins, and moving Chris Wallace’s interview show to Friday nights from Sunday evenings.
During an appearance with King on Saturday, Barclay said the show would avoid polarized political debates, though it would offer candid talk about the issues of the day.
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