Anderson Cooper’s departure from ’60 Minutes’ surprised CBS News executives, according to a report.

Anderson Cooper’s Departure from “60 Minutes” Surprises CBS Leadership

Anderson Cooper’s exit from “60 Minutes” has reportedly left CBS News executives somewhat stunned. According to reports, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and others within the network anticipated that Cooper would renew his contract and continue as a correspondent on the show where he has worked for almost two decades.

In terms of finances, Cooper is said to have earned around $2 million annually from CBS, in addition to an estimated $17 to $18 million from his role at CNN.

Forced to Navigate Unexpected Changes

Sources revealed that negotiations were reportedly quite advanced. One insider described the situation as “total chaos,” noting that the leadership was completely caught off guard by Cooper’s decision. “Bari is angry,” a person close to the situation allegedly commented.

Interestingly, while Cooper may not be working directly for Weiss anymore, there are discussions about a potential oversight role for her at CNN, should the parent company, Paramount, acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which currently owns CNN.

CBS News did not immediately provide any comments regarding this unfolding situation.

Reflecting on His Career

Upon the news breaking, Cooper released a statement citing family considerations as a key reason for scaling back his broadcasting commitments. He expressed, “Being a correspondent for 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career. I’ve been able to tell great stories and work with some of the best producers, editors, and cameramen in the business. With young children at home, I want to spend more time with them while they still want to spend time with me.”

A spokesperson from CBS News previously acknowledged Cooper’s invaluable contributions over the years, emphasizing their understanding of his need for family time. They stated, “If he wanted to come back, 60 Minutes would be here.”

Recent Tensions in the Newsroom

Cooper’s exit comes on the heels of some internal turmoil at “60 Minutes.” Recently, his colleague Sharyn Alfonsi had a dispute with Weiss regarding a report that Cooper felt wasn’t ready for airing. The tension intensified after Weiss decided to pull a segment on the Confinement Center for Terrorism shortly before it was set to be broadcast. Alfonsi suggested the move had political motivations, though Weiss sought approval from the Trump administration regarding the content.