Veteran CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will be staying with the network amid rumors that he has plans to move elsewhere. The news outlet, owned by Warner Bros. Discvoery, has decided to keep the popular host despite declining ratings for CNN’s primetime show, particularly during a time when viewers are choosing to find their news on social media, podcasts, and other non-linear programming. It was previously reported that the 58-year-old anchor might have plans to leave the network given his new relationship with a Hollywood talent agency, but this new deal had quelled that speculation.
Anderson Cooper squashes rumors that he’s leaving CNN
In recent weeks Anderson Cooper has signed a new contract with CNN, according to various sources speaking with Variety.
While the network declined to make their executives available for a statement, it’s not surprising that CNN would want to retain Cooper given his presence on the network and his familiarity to viewers. The anchor is responsible for CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage with Andy Cohen, a deep-dive weekend program called “The Whole Story,” and his podcast called “All There Is” that expands on the complexities of grief, loss, and memory. There is also the matter of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, which the anchor typically covers given his expertise in politics.
Rumors that Cooper could be leaving the network, which he has worked for since 2001, began swirling in June this year. At the time, he parted ways with United Talent Agency, which has represented him for many years, and joined Creative Artists Agency headed by top Hollywood agent Bryan Lourd, who represents the likes of Scarlett Johansson and George Clooney.
People familiar with the talks Cooper had with CNN say that Lourd had explored his new client moving to other news networks. In particular, Puck reported that Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, was targeting the anchor as a potential lead for “CBS Evening News” following the departures of veteran anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson. Cooper’s supposed move from CNN to CBS wouldn’t have been too far out of place given that he is already a correspondent for 60 Minutes. He had appeared in various programs outside of CNN as well, including being a guest host for ABC morning show “Live With Kelly and Mark” and filling in on the quiz show “Jeopardy!”
More than that, there have been reports of Cooper being dissatisfied with CNN, with a report from The National Enquirer suggesting that he was frustrated with his show’s declining ratings and irritated over internal decisions at the network. The primetime lineup for CNN has fallen considerably in viewership, based on recent Nielsen data; in the third quarter, viewership fell by 42% while its audience had declined sharply by 58% among the key demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54.
In response, CNN has shifted its priorities and CEO Mark Thompson is attempting to integrate streaming and digital media with the network’s traditional linear programming. In late October 2025, it launched an All Access subscription plan that costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year ($41.99 for the first year) and provides exclusive videos, live coverage, a catalog of films, and unlimited articles.
Still, if CNN was looking for cuts, Cooper’s annual salary of $18 million at the network, which is reportedly five times more than other primetime hosts with similar ratings, would be one of the first for Warner Bros. Discovery to consider scrapping.
However, Variety reports that CNN believed that Cooper’s image was so synonymous with the network that it decided to retain him for an undisclosed length of time. Doing so would have blocked any potential deal that he might have had with another channel.
