CBS revamps "60 Minutes" with new executive and lineup ahead of season premiere

CBS News is set to debut a retooled season of its flagship newsmagazine "60 Minutes" on Sunday. The launch follows a major overhaul that saw longtime executive producer Nick Bilby replace the previous leadership team and the departure of several senior producers and correspondents, including Anderson Cooper, Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.

The new on-air lineup highlights familiar faces—Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim and Norah O'Donnell, who moves from contributor to correspondent—while additional reporters and Bilby remain in supporting roles. A promotional trailer and Times Square billboards use the tagline "It's Time" to introduce the refreshed format.

Former CBS News president Wendy McMahon, speaking at a recent industry summit, said the first episode is expected to be strong but expressed concern that the loss of institutional knowledge could affect the program’s core identity. "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," she said.

Despite the personnel changes, the show will retain its classic three-segment structure and its post-NFL late-afternoon timeslot, which has historically driven high ratings. Planned segments include a sports feature on the Los Angeles Rams, an interview with a U.S. pilot rescued in Iran, and a Pentagon story featuring Secretary Pete Hegseth. Bilby has hinted at new elements such as hidden-camera pieces and a possible commentary segment reminiscent of past formats.

Industry observers note that the overhaul has sparked debate, with some former staff criticizing the changes as harmful to the program’s reputation, while others, including former NBC anchor Brian Williams, suggest that a refreshed presentation could be beneficial. The success of the revamped "60 Minutes" will be measured by its ability to retain the audience that traditionally tunes in after the NFL broadcast.