A bidding war is about to kick off for CBS News star Gayle King.
King’s contract is up at CBS in May, and multiple sources tell Page Six that rival networks are lining up to sign the beloved broadcaster.
King, 67, who earns around $9 million a year as an anchor on “CBS Mornings,” may want to give up the early shift or move to the West Coast, where her family, along with best friend Oprah Winfrey are based, insiders say.
Meanwhile, CBS sources said they “will do everything we can to keep King,” who just celebrated ten years at the network.
One TV insider said, “Gayle’s contract is up at CBS in a few months and the networks are gearing up for a bidding war for the ages.”
The insider speculated that MSNBC “could possibly put in a huge bid to have Gayle take over Rachel Maddow’s vacant nightly slot.”
Or, NBC may jockey for King to ultimately team her up with Hoda Kotb on “Today,” which would make them “the most formidable duo on TV,” the source added.
A separate TV insider added, “If ABC or NBC gets Gayle, it’s game over at CBS for talent.
“The question is, does Gayle want to carry on the morning show in New York when her whole family and best friend are on the West Coast?
“ABC could give her the third hour of ‘GMA’ to host from Los Angeles, or a different daytime show.
“Gayle has proven herself as one of the most talented broadcasters on TV, so the bottom line here is money, and what Gayle wants to do.”
Last week the veteran journalist marked 10 years as a presenter on the show — previously called “CBS This Morning” — and wore the special dress she has donned every year over the past decade for each anniversary.
“I’ve aged a little bit, but I always wear this dress every anniversary,” King told her co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson of the white-and-yellow number, adding, “I can’t breathe, but I’m in the dress.”
“I’m just so excited that it’s my 10th anniversary, that I’m still here!” King continued.
“After all this time, I still love this job…I think it’s an awesome, awesome job. It’s a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly. I love being here with you guys.”
King also told The Post’s Jalen Rose last October, “I never thought I had the looks or the talent or any of that to be on television.
“So it’s so ironic to me that … I’m now at CBS in our studio where Walter Cronkite used to sit. I just think that’s amazing. That’s a full-circle moment,” she said. “But I couldn’t have dreamed this.”
She added, “CBS didn’t hire me to give my opinion on the news … I also never lose sight of the fact I’m not a robot. I am a human being. And in addition to being a newscaster, I also am a citizen of this country and a mother and all of those things and a woman. And all of those things matter to me.”
Reps for King and CBS didn’t get back to us.
