EXCLUSIVE: Anderson Cooper Flies CBS Coup — Inside TV Stalwart's Exit as He Becomes Latest Fat Salary Name to Bite the Dust at Flailing News Network
Anderson Cooper has left CBS as the flailing network axes another high-salary star.
March 4 2026, Published 6:00 a.m. ET
Anderson Cooper is the latest big name to bite the dust at hemorrhaging CBS News, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
In a not-so-shocking move to many network insiders, the CNN anchor announced he'd informed CBS he didn't wish to renew his contract as a 60 Minutes correspondent for the fall season.
"For nearly twenty years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, 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," said the father of two young boys.
Cooper Saw Writing On Wall
Anderson Cooper said he will not renew his contract with CBS' '60 Minutes,' citing a desire to spend more time with his young children.
Sources said Cooper, who was long described by CBS colleagues as having the "best part-time job in television," wanted to "get out while the getting was good."
As RadarOnline.com has reported, the tumultuous tenure of new CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has led to familiar faces leaving virtually all of the prestigious news shows, including the CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings.
The turnovers come on top of spiraling ratings and layoffs affecting dozens of behind-the-scenes employees.
Cost-Cutting Chaos at CBS
Sources said Paramount Skydance's cost-cutting push at CBS reportedly prompted scrutiny of high salaries and part-time deals.
CBS is in aggressive cost-cutting mode, with parent company Paramount Skydance demanding sweeping changes and serious budget trims.
"Everything is under review," said one network source. "No more sacred cows. Big salaries, part-time deals – it's all being examined."
Insiders said Cooper, 58, saw the writing on the wall and decided to bow out on his own terms.
"He didn't want the job to change," a source said. "And he certainly wasn't going to take less money."
Cooper Clashes With Weiss
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Insiders said Bari Weiss' leadership style caused friction with Cooper, who declined an offer to anchor the 'CBS Evening News.'
According to multiple insiders, Cooper bristled at Weiss' alleged hard move to the right in the network's news coverage and hands-on leadership style with her "questioning" and "interfering" in areas he considered his domain.
"He didn't appreciate being second-guessed," one insider said.
At one point, Weiss courted Cooper to be the new Evening News anchor, but sources say he rejected the job due to network turmoil.
By offering family concerns as the reason for his exit, insiders say Cooper is strategically leaving on good terms.
"If Paramount were ever to acquire CNN – where Cooper remains a marquee name – he could find himself back in the same corporate orbit," a source said.
"In television, today's rival can be tomorrow's boss."
