CBS launches revamped 60 Minutes with new correspondents and format changes

CBS News will roll out a revamped season of its long-running newsmagazine 60 Minutes on Sunday, after a series of staff changes overseen by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. The new correspondent photo, shot in the Grand Central Oyster Bar, showcases veteran journalists Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim alongside newcomer Norah O’Donnell, who is moving from contributor to full-time correspondent. New executive producer Nick Bilton and additional correspondents appear in the background of the image.

The promotional trailer, tagged with the slogan “It’s Time,” highlights the four front-line correspondents and teases the program’s traditional three-segment structure, which will continue to air after the NFL’s late-afternoon window. Early reports indicate the first segment will focus on sports, featuring a piece on the Los Angeles Rams and an interview with coach Sean McVay, while other segments will include an exclusive interview with a U.S. pilot rescued in Iran and a forthcoming Pentagon story.

"The reality is that there was a lot of institutional knowledge that either walked out or was escorted out the door, and so much of what makes 60 Minutes 60 Minutes is its DNA," said Wendy McMahon, former president of CBS News and Stations, speaking at the Status Summit in New York.

McMahon expressed concern that the overhaul could alter the program’s core identity, noting that many senior producers and on-air talent have departed in recent months. She added that she would refrain from judging the changes until the new episodes air.

Bilton, who took over as executive producer, said he intends to introduce “gonzo journalism” elements, including hidden-camera segments, and hinted at a new closing commentary piece that may involve guest personalities. Industry observers have speculated that the show could revive the historic “Point/Counterpoint” debate format.

Former 60 Minutes staff and media figures offered mixed reactions. Former managing editor Guy Campanile described the recent dismissals as a “refusal to be accomplices in the destruction of the most prestigious news program,” while former NBC anchor Brian Williams suggested the program could benefit from a “new coat of paint.”

The changes come as CBS aims to retain the sizable audience that tunes in after the NFL broadcast, a factor credited with the show’s ratings dominance. Executives remain hopeful that the refreshed lineup and segment tweaks will sustain viewership while preserving the program’s signature style.