Mark Thompson

“After more than 43 years at CNN, Christiane has decided that the time is right to begin a new chapter,”

Mark Thompson · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-19

CNN CEO Mark Thompson told staffers in a memo about Christiane Amanpour's decision to leave the network.

“Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months. Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally,”

Mark Thompson · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-19

Thompson wrote in a memo to staffers that he had been discussing Amanpour's departure with her for months.

“Early in 2027, she will scale back her CNN International show, ‘Amanpour,’ to once a week. The program will conclude in May, and she will leave CNN at the end of June.”

Mark Thompson · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-19

Thompson's memo to staffers outlined the timeline for Amanpour scaling back and eventually leaving her CNN International show.