“CBS Mornings” co-anchor Nate Burleson posted a plug for Cadillac on Instagram — sparking chatter that his days could be numbered at the show.
In a move that is typically frowned upon at the Tiffany Network, Burleson posted an ad on Aug. 14 that shows the morning TV host candidly adjusting his glasses while standing next to Cadillac’s latest ultra-luxurious electric SUV, which retails for $400,000.
“The Cadillac CELESTIQ is a one of one experience,” Burleson captioned the photo. “It represents a whole new definition of luxury. Excited to share what we created together @cadillac @atlanticrethink. More soon. #ad.”
A person with knowledge of the matter said CBS News did not green light Burleson’s Cadillac ad and was caught flat-footed.
The network declined to comment
“Nate is so checked out,” a CBS insider said, citing the Cadillac ad as a potential indication that Burleson may be looking for an exit.
The source added that the entrepreneurial Burleson — who also serves as an analyst on “NFL Today” and a co-host on “Hollywood Squares” — would be financially “fine” if he was ousted from “CBS Mornings.”
“This is so effing unethical,” said another CBS News source, noting that there has always been a clear line that journalists do not cross when it comes to promoting products for personal gain.
Aside from his TV work, Burleson has a media production company, as well as a vodka brand and clothing line, among other ventures.
A person close to Burleson denied that the broadcaster is phoning it in, noting that during the fall, he often works six days a week with all of his television commitments.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and News President Tom Cibrowski are planning on making major changes to “CBS Mornings” — including tweaking the format and adding a new anchor to the Gayle King-led program, as previously reported by The Post.
Since her arrival at CBS, Weiss has been vocal about wanting to shake up the show, including her desire to replace Burleson, a former NFL player, with someone with news analysis chops, sources said.
A network insider said Weiss has no plans to move him off the show, citing that his contract has “multiple years” left on it.
The Post reported in February that CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell, who was recently named as a “60 Minutes” correspondent, is a leading candidate to return to “CBS Mornings.” She was recently featured in promos while filling in on the show, which aired on CBS News’ streaming channel, alongside King and Burleson.
The prospect of bringing back O’Donnell, who previously co-hosted the show with King from 2012 to 2019, is ruffling feathers inside CBS. Sources said King is “not happy” about the prospect of O’Donnell’s return, citing the the duo’s past strained relationship.
Nonetheless, insiders speculated that O’Donnell could bring her background in political reporting to the show — something the program currently lacks.
CBS News brass has been searching for a replacement for former “CBS Mornings” co-host Tony Dokoupil, who decamped for “CBS Evening News” in January. Since Dokoupil’s departure, the show has tested out a series of fill-in anchors, which some insiders say, has contributed to the show’s inconsistency and resulting ratings declines.
The Post also recently reported that Weiss has discussed repositioning “CBS Mornings”
as a “Morning Joe”- style program, with a greater focus on opinion and news than the current “CBS Mornings” format.
Sources said Cibrowksi, a former senior executive producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America,” favors a more “news you can use” approach and has worked to tamp down Weiss’ desire for a massive overhaul.
Nonetheless, both execs agree that “CBS Mornings” — which hit all-time ratings lows last month — needs a refresh.
Cibrowski, who is taking the lead on the morning show revamp, has been telling people that “CBS Mornings” will be “more of a live show with fewer people,” as reported by The Post.
A second CBS insider speculated that given the desire for fewer people, the network could relaunch the show in the coming months with King and O’Donnell, mimicking the co-anchor formula of NBC’s “Today.”
“They could build the whole morning show around Gayle and Norah just like Savannah and Hoda on the ‘Today’ show,” the person said, referring to Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb when they co-hosted the program.
