Updated: CNN lets go of Miles O'Brien after 16 years

Veteran CNN anchor and reporter Miles O’Brien, who led network’s coverage of space and aviation, is being let go after a 16-year tenure at the cable news channel.

His departure, confirmed by CNN today, comes as part of an effort to consolidate the network’s science and technology reporting into its Planet in Peril franchise, produced out of the “Anderson Cooper 360” show. Along with O’Brien, who served as CNN’s chief technology and environment correspondent, six producers who work in the science, environment and technology unit in Atlanta are leaving CNN.

“We want to integrate environmental, science and technology reporting into the general editorial structure rather than have a standalone unit,” said CNN spokeswoman Barbara Levin.

O’Brien, a skilled pilot, was CNN’s point person for coverage of aviation disasters and NASA. He also sought to be the first journalist in space, securing a deal with NASA that would have allowed him to fly on the space shuttle. The plan was scuttled, however, after the 2003 crash of the Columbia shuttle.

UPDATE: In a statement, the network said that O'Brien "has made many contributions to CNN over the years. He is a terrific reporter and we wish him all the best."

CNN also released a statement from O'Brien:

In television news, a nearly 17-year stint at one shop is more than just a good run -- it is an epoch. I can honestly say I have loved every minute of my time at CNN (well, maybe not the 2:45 AM alarm bell when I was anchoring "American Morning"). It has been my privilege to be surrounded by the most talented, dedicated and creative people in the business. Collaborating with them -- sharing many great adventures -- is what I will miss the most, but I leave with great memories and great friendships intact. I see a lot of exciting opportunities and I look forward to exploring what is on the horizon -- which, after all, has been my mission at CNN all these years.

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[spexpecting]

I am so sad to hear this... Miles O'Brien is one of my favorites. In fact, I stopped watching CNN in the morning when they replaced Miles and Soledad in the morning show.

[Kirk Abrahams]

Miles, it was a pleasure watching your anchoring/reporting on CNN.
I remember you reading one of my questions on air, which sparked a long-standing discussion on "CNN Sunday Morning" some years ago.
American Morning which you anchored with Soledad was also an easy watch!
All the best- Good luck on your next mission.

KA

[john sheahan]

After the us air captain ditched in the hudson, I had to tune out of CNN, looking for more informed reporting. Wolf Blitzer is a good studio man, but there is no substitute for Miles O'Brien, an expert on all matters involving aviation. How could CNN have been so stupid as to let him go?

John Sheahan

[colleen]

With the plane crash in Buffalo and the Miracle on the Hudson, it is more apparent what a loss Miles O'Brien is. It was a real big mistake to get rid of him. We, as the public, would know a lot more bout the planes, how they operated, and many tid bits of personal information that only Miles could explain. He is greatly missed and the replacements are a joke.

Colleen
NY

[Beth]

I thought the same thing as another person said about Miles o'Brien being gone during this terrible plane crash in Buffalo, NY, CNN must have been crazy to get rid of such an important, likeable, multi-talented, preofessional and special reporter!!
They have gone down at CNN and they certainly did not need to make such a mistake.
If they do not take him back then this huge loss from their network will make an even bigger hole than they have already dug themself into.

Maybe FOX will wake up and hire him!
FOX makes their women look like bimbos though and although they have some good newpeople on there too many alwyers pretending to be journalists on there sometimes.

Hope we see Miles again somewhere soon and may God bless all of the victims of the Buffalo tragedy and their families.
Thank you LA Times for letting us post here.

[SueEllen]

I can't believe CNN has done this! After I didn't see Miles after the Hudson crash, I thought, maybe he was on vacation or something, but then today, when you were scrambling all morning to find an aviation expert/weather expert (which Miles was) .... going so far as to have Tony Harris ask Rob Marciano to 'call his FATHER' to ask about the boot on the wing ....

OK, so now another 'middle-age' guy, Miles O'Brien, is let go for some 'younger' inexperienced 'franchis’e... What on earth is a franchise?... Where's Miles???? I was so mad after you let Aaron Brown go that I, and my girlfriends, didn't watch CNN after dinner for a very long time. We turned YOU off!!

What's next CNN ... you going to let your middle-aged viewers go too? We baby-boomers are still alive and kicking AND watching tv!, and there are an awful lot of us if you remember back that far. ...There's something to be said for experience !!! Just ask the passengers on the Miracle in the Hudson flight.

Here's a plan for you, Ms. Levin, (see above) ... get rid of the bone-head idiots that think you have to be young and beautiful to be on CNN. Those of us with a brain prefer intelligence and experience and don't give a rip about franchises or 'looks'. Try replacing Miles ... good-luck with that!

I hope if you pull this bone-head move again, somebody sues the pants off you for age-discrimination. That's all this was ... Miles was the BEST!!

[Cindy Williams]

I am so sorry to hear about Miles O'Brien being let go. I stopped watching CNN morning when they changed anchors. It is certainly CNN's loss. I used to think that CNN was different from other corporatations and valued the best and the brightess. It seems that there is not anyone to look up to aymore.

[meghan]

CNN's 'aviation expert' covering last night's fatal crash (Buffalo) is a joke. Yes, he was a commercial pilot, however his ability to 'deliver' info to the general masses is sorely lacking. Please bring back O'Brien. He had credibility with your audience, was knowledgeable and articulate. What's happening to CNN? I find myself channel surfing just to find something more interesting!

[Marcus Goodkind]

I spent 20 years in Manned Spaceflight and appreciate informed opinions and facts concerning Space and aviation. There is no substitute for the intelligence and experience of someone like Milles O'Brien. I think CNN is very short-sighted if their reasons for letting him go are accurate. Having said that, I also believe there is much more to this story than what CNN is saying.

[Mary Snyder]

Miles was special. Happy to hear such favorable comments from so many listeners. The person who really should go is the one who made such a decision. Guess it depends on whomever you are trying to please, but from the comments it obviously wasn't your audience.

[Becky]

I couldn't agree more with the comments already made. Miles has been sorely missed with the recent aviation disasters. No one at CNN - or on the other channels for that matter - could cover such stories with the tecnical skill of Miles O'Brien.

Upon learning that CNN had fired Miles, my mind wandered back to a very memorable day when he was covering for another anchor, who was off that day. Miles broke the story of the terrorist tragedy in Mumbai. I remember thinking at the time that he handled this jarring world news with his usual concern for the truth and dignified professionalism. While passing along detailed information to the public, as it became available, he did so with his wonderful air of concern and compassion for the victims of that terrible day.

Miles, I hope you're reading this because I want you to know that you are sorely missed. I was bothered by a change in tone that was gradually happening on CNN anyway. Upon learning that CNN had fired you, I decided it was time to find a different channel to watch for my news and commentary (not Fox!). I hope to see you on TV again soon. I'll be looking for you!

[Susan]

I've been wondering where Miles was after not seeing him on the recent plane crashes. I could always look forward to his insite of aviation problems as they happened. I will miss him. I wish CNN would announce that they were letting some of our favorites go, so that we could campaign to keep them. I miss a lot of faces that CNN has let go over the years. It almost feels like one of your family suddenly dissappeared without saying good-bye.

[A.J.C.]

Miles - CNN has been reporting on the Space Shuttle Mission all week long - and IT's JUST NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU !!