Anderson Cooper may no longer always be the anchor on CNN who is most watched regularly by viewers, but the news outlet believes he’s still worth keeping on the roster.
Cooper in recent weeks signed a new deal with the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news division, according to three people familiar with the matter, in a pact that will have him stay with the network even as it puts new emphasis on digital outreach and creating content that resonates with viewers who choose to subscribe to a recently-launched broadband service.
CNN declined to make executives available for comment.
The decision to re-up Cooper may surprise some people in the industry, because traditional TV-news outlets have over the past year cut ties with veterans, including Hoda Kotb, Neil Cavuto, Chris Wallace and others. Media companies have been scrutinizing salaries as audiences move more quickly to streaming video and mobile devices for news, information and entertainment.
Indeed, CNN will retain Cooper even though its primetime ratings have been on the wane. Viewership for CNN’s primetime lineup in the third quarter fell 42%, according to data from Nielsen, while its primetime audience among viewers between 25 and 54 was off by 58%.
At the same time, CNN must, like its rivals, jockey for viewership as the nation gears up for the 2026 midterm elections — typically an event that draws broader audiences to their programs. Cooper plays a significant role in election coverage, much like Jake Tapper and John King. And Cooper has helped CNN play an outsized role on New Year’s Eve, when he co-hosts an annual countdown with Andy Cohen that generates significant viewership and pass-along on social media. Cooper has also proved willing to lead other kinds of programming at CNN, including a weekend program, “The Whole Story,” devoted to long-form reportage and “All There Is,” a podcast that explores grief and loss.
The renewal could raise eyebrows for other reasons. Cooper in June jumped to the CAA talent agency, where he is now represented by CEO Bryan Lourd, and left UTA, where veteran Carole Cooper worked no his behalf for years.
Cooper’s move to CAA was taken as a sign that the CNN mainstay might be looking to explore other opportunities as the economics of TV news become more shaky. Cooper has been with CNN since 2001, but over the years hosted a daytime program distributed under the aegis of CNN’s then-parent corporation, Time Warner; guest-hosted the game show “Jeopardy”; and was considered as a potential co-host for Kelly Ripa on Disney’s syndicated morning program “Live.” He also works as a correspondent for CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” which allows him to run the segments he reports for the newsmagazine on CNN.
Indeed, Lourd is said to have explored a Cooper tie-up with CNN rivals, according to the people familiar with recent talks. In the end, however, CNN felt it needed to keep Cooper on staff, because he is so intertwined with the network’s brand and is a lure to viewers.
CAA referred a query to CNN.
Cooper isn’t necessarily the most crucial member of CNN’s present TV lineup. Abby Phillip, who moderates the often woolly roundtable program “News Night” at 10 p.m, is watched most by viewers between 25 and 54, the demographic most coveted by advertisers. Erin Burnett, who precedes Cooper’s 8 p.m. program “Anderson Cooper 360” by an hour, often lures CNN’s biggest regular audience.
