Soledad O'Brien CNN Starting Point Canceled; O'Brien Returns to Documentarys, Starts Production Company

Soledad O'Brien's daily morning news show has been axed by CNN.

O'Brien's show "Starting Point," which launched in 2011, was rumored to get canceled after ABC News' Chris Cuomo was hired by the cable news network.

O'Brien appeared Thursday on "The Wendy Williams Show," and commented on the situation.

"You know, we're talking about my role," said O'Brien. "As you know, it's been reported that the morning show is going a different direction, so we're talking about what ways I can contribute to CNN. Doing stuff like I like to do which is hard-hitting journalism."

Later that day, it was confirmed by CNN as to the fate of O'Brien as "Starting Point."

The "Starting Point" host will depart from the show and lead three long-form programming specials for CNN in 2014, including another edition of "Black in America."

"We greatly value Soledad's experience, and her first-rate storytelling will continue to be an asset to CNN," said CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker. "Documentaries and long-form story telling are important to our brand and we're anticipating more of what we've come to expect from her - riveting content." 

"The new partnership opportunity allows me to focus on what I love to do the most, and to focus on the next stage of my career, owning my own work," said O'Brien in a prepared statement, "At CNN, I am grateful to have been able to tell often under-reported stories and confront difficult topics. In the new production venture, I will continue to shine a light on what we all find most interesting about America." 

O'Brien will start a new production company named Starfish Media Group. The company will also serve as a distributor for other networks and platforms.

A specific last date for O'Brien's morning show has not been set.