JUST IN: Anderson Cooper Leaving 60 Minutes -- Turned Down Offer to Renew His Deal With CBS News

Source: MEDIAite

Feb 16th, 2026, 4:54 pm


Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes after turning down an offer from CBS News to renew his contract, reported Breaker’s Lachlan Cartwright on Monday.

Cooper, who also anchors his AC360 show weeknights on CNN and is a correspondent for the cable news network, has been a correspondent with 60 Minutes for nearly two decades. His reports for 60 Minutes have been nominated for multiple Emmys, winning four.

He was reportedly on CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’ short list for the next anchor to helm CBS Evening News, but now, according to Cartwright, Cooper has not only rebuffed Weiss’ efforts to recruit him to the evening anchor desk, he’s walking away from his role on 60 Minutes.

Citing sources “familiar with the matter,” Cartwright reported that Cooper had been offered a contract renewal, but “decided to pass,” and make his exit instead.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/just-in-anderson-cooper-leaving-60-minutes-turned-down-offer-to-renew-his-deal-with-cbs-news/

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