Cooper’s Exit Confirmed for End of Current Season On February 17 2026, Anderson Cooper, 58, announced he will leave “60 Minutes” after a twenty‑year tenure that began in the 2006‑07 season, and he will complete the broadcast season slated to conclude in May 2026 [1][2][3]. The announcement was made via a personal statement and reported simultaneously by CBS‑affiliated outlets. CBS News issued a public thank‑you, noting the program would welcome his return should he choose [1][2][3].

Family Priorities Prompt the Decision Cooper cited his “little kids” as the primary motivation, specifically naming sons Wyatt, 5, and Sebastian, 4, who now want more of his time [1][3]. He described the role as a career highlight but said balancing CNN anchoring with “60 Minutes” duties had become untenable. The statement emphasized a desire to be present for daily family moments rather than professional accolades [1][2][3].

Dual‑Network Agreement Remains Intact While departing the CBS newsmagazine, Cooper will continue full‑time anchoring “Anderson Cooper 360” on CNN, a position he has held since 2001 [1][3]. His correspondent role on “60 Minutes” operated under a long‑standing CBS‑CNN partnership established in the 2006‑07 season [1][2][3]. CBS affirmed the agreement remains unchanged, allowing Cooper to focus exclusively on his CNN responsibilities [2][3].

Departure Occurs During CBS Turbulence and Legal Fallout The exit coincides with a broader CBS News restructuring following Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media and the hiring of editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss, which has triggered layoffs and a shift toward streaming [3]. Internal editorial disputes surfaced after a delayed December segment on the Trump administration’s immigration policy and a settled lawsuit by former President Donald Trump over a Kamala Harris interview [2][1]. CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, resolved the lawsuit out of court, adding legal pressure to the newsroom’s challenges [1][2].