Christiane Amanpour Rumoured To Be Leaving CNN For ABC

It is rumoured that CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour might be leaving CNN. The New York Times and Huffington Post are alleging that Amanpour was offered to anchor a political discussion show called "This Week" on ABC News. The move to ABC would mean that Amanpour would be changing her career focus from international coverage to American politics.

ABC is a competitor of CNN, a network that Amanpour has been working for since 1983. In many ways, Amanpour became part of CNN's brand. Viewers associate her distinctive presentation style and personality with CNN after years of coverage from conflict and war zones. Amanpour has been especially prolific with the coverage of Iran election protests in June of last year. Being Iranian herself, Amanpour was CNN's prime source of information from the troubled country.

So, to see Amanpour making a move to ABC without CNN doing much about it unusual. She also has pretty big shoes to fill on ABC.

The previous host of "This Week" was ABC News' Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopoulos who on January 10, 2010 announced that it would be his last broadcast as the permanent host. He is now the co-host of Good Morning America. The show producers have not said who would host the show after Stephanopoulos.

An official announcement of Amanpour's transfer can be expected as early as Thursday.