Trending Now - Nick Bilton Takes Charge of "60 Minutes," Aiming for Digital Shift
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Nick Bilton stated, "I didn’t really have a desire to come back to journalism, quite frankly. I felt like the ability to tell stories onscreen was the future of my next era of storytelling."
CNBC - Nick Bilton is 49 years old and is the fifth executive producer in the history of "60 Minutes."
CNN - Two "60" correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, were terminated.
US Magazine - Nick Bilton is the first executive producer of "60 Minutes" from outside traditional television news.
CBS News US - Nick Bilton has been named executive producer of "60 Minutes."
CNBC - Bilton replaces Tanya Simon, who spent over 30 years at "60 Minutes."
CNBC - Bari Weiss is the CBS News editor-in-chief who met Bilton socially in Los Angeles.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Bilton plans to bring in "some of that kind of gonzo journalism stuff that I’ve done" to modernize "60 Minutes."
The Hollywood Reporter - Bilton mentioned that "the reality facing journalism in 2026 is not easy. Information is fragmented. Algorithms reward outrage. AI-generated misinformation is proliferating. Audiences are overwhelmed."
CNBC - Bilton stated, "It's still the No. 1 news broadcast in America. But history tells you disruption doesn't happen immediately when new technology comes along — it's usually a few years later."
CNN - Bilton said, "The show itself is not going to change. It is going to remain three incredible short-form documentaries, essentially, which is what it was founded on with Don Hewitt."
Variety - Bilton believes "60 Minutes" should be more prevalent in popular culture and the news cycle, rather than just airing on Sunday evenings.
CNBC - Nick Bilton aims to pivot "60 Minutes" to adapt to digital and mobile platforms.
CNBC - "60 Minutes" ratings are up 9% from the previous year, according to Nielsen.
CNBC - Paramount settled a lawsuit with Trump for $16 million regarding a deceptive interview edit.
WHERE:
CNBC - The changes are taking place at CBS News, which is part of Paramount Skydance.
WHEN:
CNBC - The lawsuit with Trump occurred in 2024.
CNBC - Bilton plans to reveal his strategy for "60 Minutes" in a few weeks.
WHY:
CNN - CBS management believes that "60 Minutes" is an archaic institution that’s in urgent need of reinvention, as expressed by multiple sources on condition of anonymity.
CNN - CBS management believes "60 Minutes" is an archaic institution that’s in urgent need of reinvention.
CNN - Weiss perceived "60 Minutes" as calcified and resistant to change.
CNBC - Bilton stated, "I will prove it with the work. I'm dedicated to holding people in power to account."
CNBC - Bilton was hired to prevent a decline in ratings for "60 Minutes."
CNBC - Bilton stated he is committed to demonstrating that his hiring is not politically motivated.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Bilton aims to extend "60 Minutes" to various platforms where consumers primarily get their news, including TikTok and YouTube.
CNN - Bilton plans to reach audiences in places that they need to be reached beyond the Sunday night broadcast.
CNBC - Bilton plans to meet with "60 Minutes" employees before revealing his strategy for the show.
CNBC - Bilton intends to meet with "60 Minutes" employees before revealing his plans for the show.
(UPDATED May 29, 2026 19:47 UTC)
Nick Bilton has announced his return to journalism with plans to modernize "60 Minutes," emphasizing the need to incorporate elements of gonzo journalism into the show. He highlighted the challenges facing journalism today, noting that information is fragmented and audiences are overwhelmed by AI-generated misinformation. CBS management views "60 Minutes" as an outdated institution that requires urgent reinvention, and Bilton intends to extend its reach to platforms like TikTok and YouTube where consumers primarily get their news.
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(UPDATED May 29, 2026 18:04 UTC)
Nick Bilton, at 49 years old, has been named the fifth executive producer in the history of "60 Minutes," following the termination of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Bilton emphasized that while the show remains the number one news broadcast in America, it must adapt to changing times, stating, "The show itself is not going to change," as it will continue to feature three short-form documentaries. CBS management views "60 Minutes" as an outdated institution that requires urgent reinvention, and Bilton plans to engage audiences beyond the traditional Sunday night broadcast.
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(UPDATED May 29, 2026 06:20 UTC)
In a groundbreaking move for the iconic news program, Nick Bilton has become the first executive producer of "60 Minutes" from outside traditional television news. Bilton envisions making the show more relevant in popular culture and the news cycle, asserting, "I will prove it with the work. I'm dedicated to holding people in power to account." To kick off his new role, he plans to meet with "60 Minutes" employees before unveiling his strategy for the show.
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(UPDATED May 28, 2026 23:22 UTC)
Nick Bilton has been appointed as the new executive producer of "60 Minutes," taking over from Tanya Simon, who dedicated over 30 years to the program. Bilton aims to adapt the show for digital and mobile platforms, especially as its ratings have recently increased by 9 percent, and he plans to unveil his strategy in the coming weeks. Additionally, Paramount has settled a $16 million lawsuit with Trump related to a deceptive interview edit that took place in 2024.