Christiane Amanpour will step down from her daily broadcasts at CNN and PBS at the conclusion of 2026, ending a 43-year tenure at the network that established her as a defining voice in international journalism.
The Exit Timeline Set for 2026 and 2027
The 68-year-old chief international anchor will scale back her nightly interview program, Amanpour, on CNN International to a weekly format at the beginning of 2027. She will conclude the weekly show entirely in May and formally separate from the network in June, the network announced on Monday.
Alongside her CNN exit, Amanpour will conclude her daily PBS program, Amanpour and Company, at the end of this year, according to statements shared by CNN.
Corporate Consolidation Following Paramount Acquisition
Amanpour’s departure arrives during a period of transition for CNN’s parent company following a major corporate acquisition. On October 6, Skydance-owned Paramount closed its buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery after a year-long process.
This deal unites CBS News and CNN under a single corporate umbrella led by David Ellison’s Skydance Corp.
Public Apprehension and Leadership Talks
Earlier this year, Amanpour voiced public apprehension regarding the impending corporate consolidation.
On Monday, CNN chief executive officer Mark Thompson confirmed her departure to staff, noting that while he was sorry to see her go, he had come to accept the timing as appropriate for her personally and professionally.
Thompson himself remains in discussions with Ellison’s Skydance regarding a new contract as CNN is absorbed into the newly formed entity alongside CBS News, with his current agreement set to expire next year.
Frontline Reporting and Defining Principles
Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Amanpour became a household name through frontline reporting from major global conflict zones and humanitarian crises, including the Gulf War and the Bosnian conflict during the 1990s.
In her statement regarding her exit, she urged audiences to maintain the principles that guided her career, stating, “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”
Health Battles and Future Media Ventures
On a personal front, Amanpour has spoken publicly about her 2021 diagnosis of ovarian cancer and subsequent recurrence, describing the condition as an “invisible killer” and encouraging others to prioritize medical screenings.
Following her exit from daily news broadcasting, she intends to continue hosting her podcast, The Ex-Files, alongside her former husband and former U.S. diplomat James Rubin, while pursuing new media projects.
