An iconic career path: journalist Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes to focus on CNN

Journalist and news anchor Anderson Cooper has confirmed his decision to leave CBS’s prestigious Sunday program “60 Minutes” after nearly two decades as a correspondent. The news marks a turning point in a career that has established him as one of the most recognized figures in American television journalism. His departure from the program is scheduled to conclude in May 2026, coinciding with the end of the current season.

From International Correspondent to Nighttime Host

Anderson Cooper began his journalism career in a particularly demanding way. During the 1990s, he worked as an international correspondent for ABC News, covering conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises around the world. This start positioned him as a field-focused journalist, developing a narrative style characterized by long-form reports and in-depth analysis of the events he documented.

In 2001, he joined CNN, where since 2003 he has hosted his nightly program “Anderson Cooper 360°,” broadcast Monday through Friday during prime time. About five years after joining the network, he added “60 Minutes” as a correspondent, balancing both roles for nearly twenty years. This dual involvement made him a familiar face on both broadcast and cable television, dividing his time between daily news coverage and in-depth documentary projects.

Balancing Professional Ambitions and Family Life

In a statement to local media, Cooper explained that his decision is due to changes in his personal life. The journalist emphasized the challenge of maintaining a routine that included frequent travel, on-location filming, and hosting a daily show—all while trying to spend time with his young children.

“Over nearly 20 years, I’ve been able to balance my work, but now I have young children and want to spend as much time as possible with them, while they also want to spend time with me,” Cooper said, according to AP News. The combination of commitments involved long days and constant travel, limiting his family availability. This transition aims to give him greater flexibility to reconcile his professional career with his responsibilities as a father.

Despite this decision, the journalist expressed deep respect for the program he is leaving. “Being a correspondent on 60 Minutes has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I’ve had the opportunity to tell incredible stories and work with some of the best producers, editors, and cameramen in the industry,” Cooper stated. His time on the show led him to participate in investigations and interviews that earned him multiple awards, including Emmy awards and industry honors.

The Legacy of 60 Minutes and Its Impact on Journalism

“60 Minutes” is one of the longest-running news programs still in continuous broadcast, created in 1968. The program is known for its distinctive structure: it prioritizes in-depth investigative reports, extensive interviews, and documentary profiles, developed over weeks or months, contrasting with conventional daily newscasts.

The weekly broadcast typically features three main segments that may cover social issues, interviews with international figures, or historical stories. In recent seasons, the program has reported on the ultra-processed food industry, testimonies from Holocaust survivors, and conversations with renowned authors like Salman Rushdie. This thematic variety has solidified its relevance in the landscape of American television journalism for over five decades.

The Future: CNN Projects and a New Focus for the Journalist

Following his departure from CBS, Cooper will maintain his relationship with CNN through his current contract. He will continue hosting “Anderson Cooper 360°,” his flagship nightly news program. Additionally, he participates in “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper,” a Sunday show dedicated to in-depth reports and analysis, bringing together CNN correspondents to cover national and international topics.

In digital media, the journalist is also developing audio projects through the podcast “All There Is with Anderson Cooper,” focused on conversations about grief and personal loss experiences. This content is complemented by live broadcasts on YouTube, allowing for a more direct connection with his audience across various platforms.

His decision to leave “60 Minutes” does not mark the end of his commitment to in-depth investigative journalism. The long-form formats he hosts on CNN serve a similar editorial purpose within a different structure, allowing him to continue developing the narrative style that has characterized his career. This reorganization of his professional schedule reflects a common evolution among experienced journalists seeking to adapt their commitments to new life stages.