In a significant shift for one of broadcast television's flagship morning programs, Shawna Thomas is stepping down as executive producer of CBS Mornings, a move that aligns with broader changes anticipated under the network's new ownership by Paramount and Skydance. The departure, first reported by Variety and confirmed by a CBS News spokesperson, comes at the end of March 2026, after Thomas has helmed the show since 2021. This announcement follows closely on the heels of co-host Gayle King's contract renewal, signaling a period of transition for the program as it navigates evolving leadership and competitive pressures in morning news.
Thomas, who brought a robust hard-news pedigree to the role, addressed her team in a heartfelt note shared internally. 'For five years, I’ve tried to make this show something she and everybody on this team want to be a part of. Want to watch. Want to learn from,' she wrote, reflecting on her efforts to shape the broadcast. She added that she had been contemplating the decision for some time, candidly stating, 'frankly, I’m tired y’all.' Her exit underscores the demanding nature of morning television production, where producers must balance breaking news, live segments, and audience engagement daily.
Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, praised Thomas's contributions in a memo to staff. He described her as someone who embodies the fast-paced demands of the format: 'Morning television moves fast. It demands grace under pressure, sharp instincts, and the ability to pivot at a moment’s notice. Shawna does all of that with a calm confidence and a great sense of humor.' Cibrowski highlighted her behind-the-scenes leadership, noting that 'Morning television is also a tight-knit family. Behind the scenes, Shawna’s leadership creates space for collaboration, creativity, and trust – and on screen, that translates into something viewers can feel.'
Stepping in as interim executive producer will be Jon Tower, effective immediately after Thomas's departure at month's end, according to Cibrowski. Tower's appointment provides continuity during what insiders describe as an expected overhaul of the show under the new Paramount Skydance regime. The ownership change, finalized earlier this year, has prompted reviews across CBS News properties, with executives signaling intentions to refresh formats to better compete in a fragmented media landscape.
The timing of Thomas's exit is notable, coming just one day after the announcement that Gayle King, a cornerstone of CBS Mornings, has renewed her deal to continue as co-host. CBS executives have also indicated that Nate Burleson will remain in his role, maintaining stability among the on-air talent. However, the traditional slot for a third co-host remains vacant following Tony Dokoupil's departure last year to anchor the CBS Evening News. This gap has left the program with a two-host format in recent months, prompting speculation about potential new additions as part of the revamp.
Under Thomas's stewardship, CBS Mornings underwent a significant rebranding in 2021, evolving from CBS This Morning into a more news-focused program infused with elements from the network's acclaimed Sunday Morning series. This shift positioned it as a 'newsier' alternative to rivals like NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America, emphasizing in-depth reporting over lighter fare. Thomas's background as Washington bureau chief for Vice News and her over-a-decade tenure at NBC News equipped her to steer this direction, drawing on experience in covering complex political and international stories.
Viewership data underscores the challenges CBS Mornings has faced during her tenure. According to Nielsen ratings for the fourth quarter of 2025, the show averaged 1.9 million viewers, trailing Today's 2.9 million and Good Morning America's 2.7 million. Despite these figures, the program has carved out a niche for substantive journalism, producing what Thomas described as 10 hours—now expanded to 12 hours—of weekly content 'that goes out free to people everywhere.' In her note, she emphasized the responsibility involved: 'I’ve taken that responsibility of trying to inform, educate, entertain and make people care about the world around them very seriously, and I know the people here do, too.'
Thomas reflected on the personal growth she experienced leading the team: 'The CBS Mornings team has made me more thoughtful, empathetic and expanded my personal definition of storytelling.' Her leadership fostered an environment where collaboration thrived, contributing to segments that blended hard news with human interest stories. Colleagues have credited her with elevating the show's journalistic integrity, even as it competed for eyeballs in an era dominated by digital streaming and social media clips.
The broader context of Thomas's departure ties into the seismic shifts at CBS following the Paramount-Skydance merger. New owners have prioritized cost efficiencies and content innovation across the portfolio, including news divisions. While specifics of the CBS Mornings overhaul remain under wraps, sources familiar with the discussions suggest enhancements to digital integration and possibly expanded field reporting to appeal to younger demographics. This comes amid industry-wide pressures, as traditional broadcast mornings grapple with declining linear TV audiences.
Reactions within the industry have been mixed but largely appreciative of Thomas's impact. Variety, which broke the story, noted that her exit was anticipated given the ownership transition, while a CBS spokesperson emphasized the network's commitment to the show's future. No immediate replacement search details have been disclosed, but Cibrowski's memo implies a deliberate process to find a permanent successor who can build on Thomas's foundation.
Looking ahead, the interim period under Jon Tower will be crucial. Tower, a veteran CBS News producer, brings experience from various network projects, including sports and special events coverage. His role will involve maintaining the current format while preparing for potential changes, such as new set designs or programming tweaks discussed in recent executive meetings.
The departure also highlights ongoing talent retention challenges at CBS. King's renewal provides a vote of confidence in the anchor desk, but the vacancy in the third host position and now the EP role raise questions about long-term stability. Burleson's continued presence, known for his engaging style bridging sports and news, could serve as an anchor point amid the flux.
As CBS Mornings enters this transitional phase, its ability to sustain its news-driven identity will be tested against competitors who have leaned into lifestyle and celebrity content. Thomas's legacy, however, appears secure: a show that prioritized storytelling with depth, even if viewership numbers lagged. Her candid note to staff serves as a reminder of the human element in high-stakes media production, where burnout is a real risk in the relentless morning grind.
In the coming weeks, more details on the overhaul are expected, potentially including announcements about new talent or format adjustments. For now, the focus remains on wrapping Thomas's tenure on a high note, with the team she helped build carrying forward the mission she championed. As one industry observer put it anonymously, 'Shawna leaves CBS Mornings stronger in its journalistic core, even if the ratings race continues.'
This story reflects the dynamic nature of broadcast news, where leadership changes can signal reinvention. With Paramount Skydance at the helm, CBS Mornings is poised for what could be its next chapter, balancing tradition with the demands of a evolving audience.