Anderson Cooper says he's exiting from '60 Minutes,' but staying with CNN

Anderson Cooper says he will leave CBS' “60 Minutes," where he has reported for two decades in a unique job-share agreement with CNN, where he hosts a weeknight news program

Anderson Cooper, who has reported for CBS' “60 Minutes” for the past two decades in addition to hosting a weeknight news program on CNN, said Monday that he's leaving the CBS broadcast to spend more time with his family.

His decision comes at a time of turmoil at “60 Minutes.” Cooper appeared on the show Sunday night, introducing a brief piece on filmmaker Ken Burns. It's not likely to be his last time on the show; he's expected to finish the current broadcast season, which ends in May.

“Being a correspondent at ‘60 Minutes’ has been one of the great honors of my career,” Cooper said in a statement. “I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crew in the business. For nearly 20 years, I've been able to balance my jobs and 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.”

Cooper's exit from what remains the most prestigious show in television news is sure to raise questions about whether it had anything to do with the leadership of Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News since last fall. Cooper's spokesperson said Monday he had no additional comment.

He has contributed stories to “60 Minutes” since the 2006-2007 television season in a unique job-sharing arrangement with CNN. His prime-time cable news show, “Anderson Cooper 360,” has aired since 2003.