Stelter Returns To CNN
Brian Stelter is making a surprising return to CNN, nearly two years after his high-profile departure from the network. Stelter, who was let go by former CEO Chris Licht in a major shakeup, shared the news in his Reliable Sources newsletter, which he founded back in 2015.
His return comes with a fresh perspective and a new role as CNN’s chief media analyst, where he’ll make on-air appearances, develop digital content, and continue to lead the Reliable Sources newsletter.
Stelter made it clear this isn’t a mere rewind of his previous CNN stint.
“This is not going to be a 'Back to the Future' remake,” he wrote, acknowledging the changes in both the media landscape and in his own personal growth since leaving the network. Stelter, who once anchored a Sunday morning show on CNN, sees this new chapter as the next "level" in his media career. And after 20-plus years in the fast-paced world of journalism, he’s ready to take on new challenges.
What’s particularly striking is the perspective Stelter gained during his time away from CNN. He shared that getting fired allowed him to experience life beyond the 24-hour news cycle, even admitting he “tuned out” for a while. Relocating from Manhattan to a horse farm near one of Donald Trump’s golf courses, he had the rare chance to experience the news like a regular consumer.
Stelter believes this shift in viewpoint taught him invaluable lessons about the "attention economy" and today’s media landscape, lessons he’s eager to bring to his new role at CNN.
During his hiatus from the network, Stelter stayed busy, diving into a variety of roles.
He spent time as a stay-at-home dad, a Harvard fellow, a writer for outlets like The Atlantic and WIRED, and even hosted Vanity Fair’s Inside the Hive podcast. His time away helped him explore the ups and downs of freelance life, but it also gave him the opportunity to step back, reflect, and return to CNN with a fresh mindset.
Reliable Sources, the media analysis platform Stelter is known for, is also getting a reboot, and the relaunch is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9. Stelter’s return signals a new era for the newsletter and for his role at CNN, one where his sharpened insights on the media world are sure to resonate with viewers and readers alike.