After nearly two decades balancing roles at two of the nation’s leading news organizations, Anderson Cooper is leaving his post as a correspondent for CBS’s 60 Minutes. The decision, announced Monday, comes as Cooper seeks to dedicate more time to his family and his primary role at CNN, where he anchors Anderson Cooper 360 and hosts the newsmagazine The Whole Story, as well as a podcast and streaming show called All There Is.
Cooper’s departure marks the latest shift in personnel at CBS News following the arrival of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief in October. Weiss, who previously headed The Free Press after Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of the outlet, unveiled a strategy in January to revitalize the network, which has consistently lagged behind ABC and NBC in ratings, according to reports. Her plan includes adding 19 new contributors and adopting a “streaming mentality” to attract a wider audience.
The arrangement that allowed Cooper to contribute to 60 Minutes was a unique one, stemming from a deal between Paramount Skydance-owned CBS News and Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN dating back to the 2006-2007 season. “For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I seek to spend as much time with them as possible, even as they still want to spend time with me,” Cooper said in a statement. The decision underscores a growing trend among high-profile journalists prioritizing personal commitments alongside demanding careers.
A Storied Run at 60 Minutes
Cooper’s contributions to 60 Minutes spanned nearly two decades, taking viewers “on journeys to faraway places,” reporting on “consequential investigations,” and interviewing “many prominent figures,” CBS News said in a statement. His final segment for the program, an interview with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, aired on Sunday. CBS expressed gratitude for Cooper’s dedication and left the door open for a potential return, stating the broadcast “will be here if he ever wants to return.”
Turmoil at CBS News
Cooper’s exit comes amid a period of internal debate at CBS News. Last month, CBS News responded to a report alleging that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss had held a story critical of former President Donald Trump’s policies. The segment, as reported by The Independent, focused on the Trump administration’s plan regarding South African refugees. Trump has repeatedly promoted a debunked conspiracy theory about a genocide of white people in South Africa and, in October, prioritized visa claims for white South Africans.
Sources told the newsletter Status that producers reviewed the segment in December, and Weiss provided “extensive editorial feedback.” The newsletter, formerly associated with CNN, suggested the story was likely to provoke Trump and had undergone an “abnormal” level of scrutiny. However, a source close to CBS News denied the claims, asserting that the story is still in development. “Bari Weiss did not hold the story,” the source stated.
Balancing Act and Future Focus
Cooper’s ability to maintain roles at both CNN and CBS was a testament to a long-standing agreement between the networks. However, the demands of both positions, coupled with the arrival of his children, ultimately led to his decision to prioritize his family and CNN. He remains a central figure at CNN, anchoring Anderson Cooper 360, a nightly news program, and The Whole Story, a weekly newsmagazine. He also continues to host a podcast and streaming show, All There Is.
The news of Cooper’s departure was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and quickly gained traction across multiple news outlets, including NBC News and The New York Times.
As Cooper shifts his focus, the future of 60 Minutes remains a key storyline within the evolving landscape of broadcast journalism. The network’s efforts to adapt to the changing media environment and attract a new generation of viewers will be closely watched in the coming months.
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