Christiane Amanpour Leaves CNN in 2027 as Chairman Reveals His Regret
CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour will leave the network in June 2027 after 43 years, with chairman Mark Thompson expressing sadness over the veteran journalist’s decision to depart.
Amanpour, 68, announced her planned exit on Monday, October 19, 2026, following months of consideration about her future at the international news organisation.
In her announcement, she described CNN as her partner for 43 remarkable years and said she was looking forward to pursuing interesting projects beyond the network.
The award-winning journalist also expressed hope that CNN would continue defending independent journalism, emphasising the importance of truth in reporting events around the world.
Reacting to the announcement, Thompson told staff that discussions about Amanpour’s departure had taken place over several months before the decision became public.
He said he was sorry to see her leave but had accepted that the timing was right for her personally and professionally.
Thompson described Amanpour as one of the most trusted and beloved journalists in the world, praising her contribution to international reporting throughout her decades at CNN.
He also thanked her for 43 years of remarkable journalism, loyalty and friendship, adding that the network would celebrate her achievements before she leaves.
Amanpour joined CNN in 1983 and built an international reputation through her coverage of wars, political upheavals and humanitarian emergencies.
Her reporting career has included the First Gulf War, the Bosnian War, the genocide in Rwanda, conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and developments in Iran.
In her farewell announcement, Amanpour paid tribute to the colleagues, production teams and field crews who worked alongside her during assignments across the world.
She credited their teamwork and determination to establish the facts with helping CNN deliver reliable accounts of major international events to its audiences.
Amanpour has presented her flagship interview programme, Amanpour, on CNN International since 2009. Her hosting duties were reduced in January 2025 and will be scaled back to once weekly from January 2027.
The programme is scheduled to end in May 2027, ahead of her departure from CNN the following month.
Her PBS programme, Amanpour & Company, is also expected to conclude in December 2026. Amanpour has hosted the programme since 2017.
She will, however, continue presenting The Ex Files, her podcast with former husband Jamie Rubin, as she considers opportunities beyond television news.
Amanpour previously left CNN in 2010 to join ABC News as moderator of This Week. She returned to CNN in 2012 and resumed her work in international journalism.
Her planned exit follows Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, completed on October 6, 2026.
However, no direct connection has been established between the corporate transaction and her decision to leave.
