Brian Stelter Returns to CNN as Chief Media Analyst for Revamped ‘Reliable Sources’ Newsletter

CNN’s “Reliable Sources” Welcomes Back Brian Stelter

CNN’s renowned program “Reliable Sources” is making a return, albeit in a different form. Brian Stelter, a notable media reporter and commentator who departed from CNN two years ago due to differences with the network’s previous leadership, is rejoining the company as its chief media analyst and the writer of the revamped “Reliable Sources” newsletter.

However, the Sunday morning roundtable discussion that he once hosted, also titled “Reliable Sources,” will not be making a comeback. In his new position, Mr. Stelter will not only appear as an on-air analyst but will also take charge of writing his newsletter and contributing reports for the network.

At 39 years old, Mr. Stelter announced his return to CNN on Tuesday through the newsletter he originally founded, sharing insights about his new role. “I cherished my previous role as the anchor of a Sunday morning show, but to borrow a phrase from my days as a video game blogger, I’ve completed that level of the game,” he reflected. “Now, it’s time for new levels and fresh challenges.”

Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief executive officer, expressed his enthusiasm in a statement, welcoming Mr. Stelter back to the network and praising him as “one of the best global experts in media commentary.”

In this transition, Mr. Stelter will be taking over from Oliver Darcy, the previous author of the newsletter. Mr. Darcy has recently left CNN to establish his own subscription-based news platform, “Status,” which focuses on media and entertainment news. Additionally, CNN frequently invites Sara Fischer, a media reporter from Axios, to contribute as an on-air analyst.

Mr. Stelter, who previously worked as a reporter for The New York Times, joined CNN in 2013 as the host of “Reliable Sources,” a role he occupied under the network’s then-president, Jeff Zucker. His departure in 2022 came about after Chris Licht, the new leader, restructured the network’s programming. Under Mr. Licht’s leadership, there was a concerted effort to shift CNN away from the partisan analysis that had gained traction during Donald J. Trump’s presidency. This shift sometimes involved the removal of voices perceived to have a strong liberal bias, with Mr. Stelter being one of the prominent figures associated with that perception, according to audience research.

The negotiations for Mr. Stelter’s return to CNN began in the last three weeks, coinciding with Mr. Darcy’s announcement of his departure from the network, as disclosed by sources familiar with the developments. It’s important to note that Mr. Darcy’s decision to leave was not related to Mr. Stelter’s appointment, as confirmed by another individual.

In the inaugural edition of his new newsletter, Mr. Stelter took a moment to reflect on his tumultuous exit from CNN, indicating that it allowed him to experience the news landscape from the perspective of an everyday consumer. He emphasized honing his focus on “the attention economy and the information ecosystem.”

“I always dismissed those who claimed that ‘getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me’—until, well, it happened to me,” Mr. Stelter candidly shared.