• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 23, 2025

WBD Touts Charles Barkley-Gayle King CNN Show At Upfront

  • Warner Brothers makes bet on Inside the NBA star and CBS anchor to help sagging CNN ratings.
  • This week, WBD Sports had reported second layoff since November.
Charles Barkley
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK – Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless showcase themselves as the most important personalities in sports media. But Charles Barkley actually is.

Warner Bros. Discovery was smart to lean into all things Sir Charles during its upfront presentation to advertisers on Wednesday.

The $43 billion media giant heavily touted the launch of Barkley’s CNN weekly show with “CBS Mornings” anchor Gayle King this fall.

Amid tumbling TV ratings, CNN needs a hit. 

The new prime weekly show – dubbed “King Charles” –  will allow Barkley to expand beyond sports and weigh in on other topics. 

Barkley, who will continue his award-winning run as star of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” has said he will talk politics on his new show. But the show will not be political.

His TNT colleagues appeared on video to joke about names for the new show.

“Lady and the Tramp?” quipped host Ernie Johnson Jr. “Gail force…hot air?”

“Yeah, that’s nice. I like that,” agreed Shaquille O’Neal.

Luis Silberwasser, chairman and chief executive officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, said he’s excited for “King Charles” debut later this year. 

“You can always expect the unexpected with those two,” he said.

The 60-year-old Barkley flirted with a move to renegade golf league LIV Sports. But last summer, he signed a new deal with TNT that should keep him on the network for the rest of his career.

Pat McAfee at Disney Upfront

Disney Leans Hard Into ESPN – And Sports – At Upfront

The Walt Disney Co. leaned hard into ESPN at its upfront.
May 17, 2023

In other sports programming news from the WBD upfront: 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Sports is drawing its biggest TV audiences for NBA Playoffs in nine years, according to Silberwasser. That’s important with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports gearing up to defend its decades-long relationship with the NBA in billion-dollar media rights talks.
  • The NHL’s Stanley Cup Finals will air exclusively on TNT this June. It’s the first time outside of the NCAA “March Madness” tournament the former Turner Sports’ TNT/TBS cable TV channels have aired one of the major sports championships. 
  • TNT will add a second night of pro wrestling to its schedule with a new series called “AEW Collision.” The show will debut on June 17. The live two-hour program will air Saturday nights from 8-10 pm ET.

With the economy faltering, WBD Sports laid off dozens of employees this week, according to Business Insider.

It’s the second downsizing in recent months for WBD Sports. The division laid off roughly 10% of its workforce in November, according to Awful Announcing.

WBD Sports declined to comment on layoffs.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN

‘Inside the NBA’ Keeps Irreverence Intact in ESPN Debut

The foursome were back together ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after defeating the Seattle Mariners in game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre.

Blue Jays Game 7 Clincher Draws Record TV Audience

LCS viewership rises, with historic totals posted in Canada and Japan.
Tony Parker

NBA Wants to Launch European League in ‘Next Two Years’

The league is eyeing 10–12 cities for its European venture.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
October 17, 2025

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.