CBS adds Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger, Trevor Phillips and Gianna Toboni to "60 Minutes" team
CBS News announced that four new journalists and a veteran correspondent will join the long-running newsmagazine as it prepares for its 59th season, part of a broader reshuffle aimed at attracting younger viewers.
CBS News said on Tuesday that conservative columnist Ross Douthat, author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger, new correspondent Trevor Phillips and documentary maker Gianna Toboni will become part of the "60 Minutes" roster. The hires come as the program undergoes a staffing overhaul overseen by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has been replacing long-time correspondents to modernize the show for digital audiences.
"They are entrepreneurial journalists who understand how to reach modern audiences," said Nick Bilton, the program’s new executive producer, in a memo to staff.
The new team will work alongside veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim and Bill Whitaker, who have chosen to remain after the recent changes. CBS noted that viewership for the show rose 9% in its most recent season, despite overall declines in traditional broadcast audiences.
Douthat, a New York Times columnist, and Phillips, a former British politician, are known for opinion pieces and advocacy work, while Junger and Toboni have backgrounds in conflict reporting and documentary filmmaking. The 59th season of "60 Minutes" is scheduled to premiere on September 13, with each segment running 12 to 13 minutes.