Brian Stelter Returns To CNN As Chief Media Analyst, Reliable Sources Newsletter Lead Author

Brian Stelter is returning to CNN as chief media analyst and author of its Reliable Sources newsletter.

Stelter departed CNN in 2022, when Chris Licht was CEO and cancelled his Sunday show, Reliable Sources.

“I’m returning to CNN in a brand new role as Chief Media Analyst, which means I’ll be appearing on air, developing digital content, and helming this newsletter,” Stelter wrote in a message posted on X. “It will be different, because I am different.”

He added, “I always scoffed at people who said “getting fired was the best thing that’s ever happened to me” — until, well, it happened to me. After 20+ years as a news junkie, I changed my habits and tuned out for a bit. I also changed my vantage point, moving from Manhattan to a horse farm near one of Donald Trump’s golf clubs. I experienced the news more like an everyday consumer, and in doing so, I learned a whole lot about the attention economy and the information ecosystem. I’m looking forward to sharing what I learned with you.”

Stelter previously authored the newsletter, and was succeeded by Oliver Darcy. Darcy recently left the network to launch his own paid subscription newsletter, Status.

“I’m rooting for Oliver and, as I have told him personally, I think we’re going to complement each other wonderfully,” Stelter wrote.

The newsletter will relaunch on Monday, he said. Stelter also will continue to host a Vanity Fair podcast, Inside the Hive, through the end of the year.