CNN Announces New Primetime Show “King Charles” Featuring Gayle King and Charles Barkley

On Saturday, CNN announced it would launch a new primetime show called “King Charles,” featuring Gayle King and Charles Barkley. The two hosted a segment on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off on Saturday, revealing that their live show will be non-political but cover a broad range of topics from hard-hitting issues like gun control to lighter fare like food and pop culture.

In addition, they plan to offer a no-holds-barred look at current issues while having a good conversation without tearing each other down. The show is set to air on Wednesdays and is expected to run from fall 2023 through 2024.

Barkley emphasized that the show would be non-political, although it would touch on political issues. “You know (Gayle King) will be a straight shooter. I’m going to be a straight shooter,” he added. “I know she’s going to be fair and honest, and you know I’m going to do the same thing.” Meanwhile, King said the show would provide a platform for them to offer their unique perspectives and have a good conversation without tearing each other down.

The show will cover culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives and feature personalities at the center of the week’s news. Topics to be discussed range from hard-hitting issues like gun control to lighter fare like food and pop culture.

King and Barkley will continue their current roles while working with CNN. King is currently anchoring CBS Mornings, while Barkley is at WBD Sports. King said the show would be fun to watch, and she wants people to tune in to see “What are Gayle and Charles going to do?”

The show is set to debut this fall and is expected to run into 2024. CNN CEO Chris Licht announced in an email to the network’s staff. “King Charles” is CNN’s attempt to deliver culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives. Licht said that more information on the show’s focus will be provided over the next few months. Warner Bros. Discovery owns both CNN and TNT.

Barkley and King did not initially want another job to add to their already busy schedules, but they decided to commit to the show because they had a similar vision of what they wanted to do. “We had a great conversation, and that’s how the whole thing came about,” Barkley added. The duo’s live show will provide a unique platform for them to express their opinions on a broad range of topics, and fans are excited to see what they have in store.