Anderson Cooper Departs 60 Minutes, Will Remain at CNN- After nearly two decades with 60 Minutes, Anderson Cooper is stepping down from his role as a correspondent on the long-running CBS newsmagazine. His departure marks a significant moment for both the journalist and CBS News, which is undergoing broader changes in leadership and strategy.
Cooper announced his decision in a statement, explaining that family considerations played a central role. Having spent years balancing high-profile roles at two major networks, he said he now wants to dedicate more time to his young children.
“For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS,” Cooper said. “But I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me.”
CBS News responded by expressing appreciation for his longstanding contribution to 60 Minutes, calling attention to the nearly 20 years he devoted to the program and voicing support for his decision to focus on family life.
A Unique Dual-Network Career
Cooper joined 60 Minutes during the 2006–2007 season through a cross-network agreement that allowed him to continue working at CNN. The arrangement made him one of the few prominent journalists to maintain significant roles at two competing news organizations simultaneously.
He will continue at CNN, where he has been a central figure since 2001 and remains the anchor of Anderson Cooper 360°. Over the years, Cooper has covered major global and domestic events, from wars in the Middle East to devastating natural disasters and landmark political moments.
His reporting career has included coverage of the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, among other major stories. Known for his on-the-ground presence and measured delivery, Cooper became one of cable news’ most recognizable anchors.
He renewed his contract with CNN last year, reinforcing that his professional future remains anchored there even as he parts ways with CBS.
Changes at CBS News
Cooper’s exit comes during a transitional period at CBS News. In October, journalist Bari Weiss assumed the role of editor-in-chief following Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of her digital outlet, The Free Press.
Earlier this year, Weiss laid out her vision for the network, which includes bringing in 19 new contributors and adopting what she described as a “streaming mentality.” The goal is to adapt CBS News to a media environment increasingly dominated by digital platforms and on-demand viewing.
In recent years, CBS has trailed behind competitors such as ABC News and NBC News in broadcast ratings. Network leadership has signaled a desire to reinvigorate its programming and attract audiences who now consume news across multiple screens.
Reports had suggested that Weiss was interested in bringing Cooper into CBS News on a full-time basis, potentially even as anchor of the CBS Evening News. However, those plans did not come to fruition.
The End of a Long Association
Cooper’s tenure at 60 Minutes allowed him to work in a different format than his nightly CNN broadcasts. While his prime-time show often centers on breaking news and live developments, 60 Minutes offered space for longer-form reporting, in-depth interviews, and investigative storytelling.
His ability to move seamlessly between cable and broadcast journalism was notable in an industry where such crossover is uncommon. For nearly 20 years, he contributed to one of television’s most respected news programs while maintaining his high-profile CNN presence.
Though his departure represents the end of a significant chapter at CBS, it does not signal a slowdown in his broader career. Cooper remains firmly established at CNN and continues to play a leading role in the network’s coverage of major national and international events.
As CBS News continues to evolve under new leadership, Cooper’s exit underscores the shifting dynamics within traditional broadcast journalism — where personal priorities, corporate restructuring, and changing audience habits increasingly shape the future of news.
