You've probably heard the whispers or seen the social media posts asking the same thing over and over: is Wolf Blitzer leaving CNN? It makes sense why people are worried. The guy has been a fixture on the network since 1990. He’s the face of breaking news, the man who survives every single regime change, and frankly, it’s hard to imagine the channel without that signature beard and the authoritative "Happening Now" intro.
But here is the short answer. No, Wolf Blitzer is not leaving CNN. Not yet, anyway.
In fact, he recently doubled down on his commitment to the network. While there’s been a massive shakeup in the lineup—some of it pretty jarring for longtime viewers—Blitzer actually signed a new multi-year contract fairly recently. It's a three-year deal that keeps him in the building through at least 2027. So, if you were expecting a retirement party, you’ll have to wait.
The Big Move to the Mornings
The reason everyone is confused is that Wolf isn't where he used to be. For two decades, he owned the early evening. If you turned on the TV at 6:00 p.m. ET, there he was. But in March 2025, CNN CEO Mark Thompson decided to flip the script.
The network moved The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer out of its traditional evening slot and plopped it right into the late morning. Specifically, the show now airs from 10:00 a.m. to noon ET.
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It was a risky move. People are creatures of habit. If you're used to watching Wolf while you cook dinner, finding him while you're at the office or finishing your second cup of coffee feels... weird. But Thompson’s goal was basically to shore up the daytime ratings by putting a heavy hitter in a slot that had been struggling.
Meet the New Co-Anchor
It’s not just a time change, though. Wolf isn't flying solo anymore. Pamela Brown joined him as a full-time co-anchor when the show moved to its new 10:00 a.m. home.
Honestly, it’s been a fascinating shift to watch. Blitzer has always been the "sole pilot" of his broadcast. Bringing in Brown, who is a sharp investigative correspondent, changed the energy of the show. They’ve even started doing this "Song of the Day" bit on social media where Brown catches Wolf singing along to random tracks like "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba. It’s a side of him we never saw when he was stuck behind the desk in prime time.
Why the Rumors Won't Die
So, if he’s staying, why do people keep saying he’s leaving?
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- The Pay Freeze: While Wolf signed a new deal, reports from insiders like those at Status and The Ankler suggest he didn't get a raise. In the world of high-stakes TV, a "flat" contract is sometimes seen as a sign that a network is looking to transition away from its expensive veterans. His salary is reportedly hovering around $3 million a year. That’s a lot of money to us, but in the land of Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper, it’s relatively modest.
- The Age Factor: Wolf is 77. There’s no getting around it. While he still has the stamina of a man half his age, people naturally speculate about retirement once someone hits their late 70s.
- The Digital Pivot: CNN is currently obsessed with digital. Mark Thompson has been very vocal about moving resources away from "linear" TV (regular cable) and toward streaming and apps. Some fans worry that as the network changes, old-school anchors like Wolf will eventually be phased out in favor of "digital-first" talent.
What This Means for CNN’s Future
CNN is in a bit of a crisis mode. Ratings took a massive hit after the 2024 election cycle, and the network had to lay off hundreds of people in early 2025. Moving Wolf to the morning was part of a broader strategy to save the brand.
By putting a "trusted" name like Blitzer in the morning, they’re trying to tell advertisers that they still have authority, even if they’re moving things around. They also bumped Jim Acosta from that morning slot to make room for Wolf, which shows just how much weight Blitzer still carries. He’s the "break glass in case of emergency" guy for major news events. Even with the new morning schedule, he remains the principal anchor for major breaking news and election night coverage.
Is He Content?
From all accounts, Wolf seems to be enjoying the new pace. In a recent interview with People, he mentioned that there’s a ton of news happening in that late-morning window—especially internationally. Being a former Jerusalem correspondent, he’s always had an eye for global stories, and the 10:00 a.m. to noon block allows him to catch the tail end of the European news day.
It’s also worth noting that the move to mornings is actually more work. The Situation Room expanded from one hour to two. Most 77-year-olds are looking for a way to work less; Wolf basically took on a 100% increase in his daily airtime.
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The Actionable Bottom Line
If you’re a fan of Wolf Blitzer and you’re worried about him disappearing, here is what you need to do to stay in the loop:
- Update your DVR: If you still have "The Situation Room" set to record at 6:00 p.m., it's probably recording Jake Tapper now. Switch it to 10:00 a.m. ET.
- Watch the "Big" Events: Wolf is still the lead for the big stuff. When there’s a State of the Union or a major international crisis, he’s the one CNN puts in the chair. That hasn't changed.
- Follow Pamela Brown on Socials: If you want to see the "human" side of Wolf that doesn't make it to the teleprompter, her Instagram is where the behind-the-scenes content lives.
Wolf Blitzer is a survivor. He has outlasted multiple CEOs, dozens of competitors, and several "end of an era" predictions. For now, he’s staying put, just in a different time slot with a new partner.
Keep an eye on the 2026 midterm coverage. That will be the real test of whether the network plans to keep him as the "face" of the brand or if they are truly beginning to hand the keys over to the next generation. Until then, you can find him exactly where he’s always been: in the situation room. It’s just a morning situation now.