CBS ’60 Minutes’ Faces Uncertain Future After Multiple Correspondent Firings
7 verified6 unconfirmed2 contested
CBS News has fired several top correspondents and producers at its flagship newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” raising serious questions about the show’s ability to launch its 59th season on time this fall. The dismissals include correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Scott Pelley, as well as executive producer Tanya Simon and other senior producers. Anderson Cooper also left the program in recent months. The turmoil follows the acquisition of CBS parent Paramount by billionaire father-and-son team Larry and David Ellison, who installed Bari Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News and Nick Bilton as executive producer of “60 Minutes.” Weiss, a former opinion writer who launched the digital site The Free Press, has sought to overhaul the network’s news operations for the digital age. Only three correspondents now remain at the program, which has long been the most-watched news program in the United States. Staff are reportedly demoralized, and the Ellisons are simultaneously seeking regulatory approval to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal that has prompted concerns about political influence from the Trump administration.
What’s verified
Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, and Sharyn Alfonsi were fired from “60 Minutes” in recent weeks.
Anderson Cooper left the program, with sources differing on whether he announced his departure in February or left in May.
Executive producer Tanya Simon and several senior producers were also fired.
Bari Weiss is the new editor in chief of CBS News, and Nick Bilton is the new executive producer of “60 Minutes.”
Only three correspondents remain at the show after the departures.
The Ellisons, who bought CBS parent Paramount last summer, are also seeking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
Staff morale is low, and there are doubts about whether the show can produce enough content for the fall season.
Where accounts differ
Anderson Cooper’s timeline: One source states he announced his departure in February, while another states he left the network last month.
No other direct contradictions identified across sources.
Not yet confirmed
The exact purchase price for The Free Press, reported by one source as $150 million, is not confirmed by other sources.
Specific allegations from Pelley that he was pushed to inject falsehoods and bias into stories appear in only one account, as do similar claims from fired correspondents Vega and Alfonsi.
Details of concessions the Ellisons made to the Trump administration, including gutting diversity initiatives and appointing a conservative ombudsman, are reported by only one source.
The role of Norah O’Donnell and other CBS News personnel in contributing stories to “60 Minutes” is mentioned by only one source.
The exact number of remaining correspondents is confirmed by both sources, but the names of the three remaining correspondents appear in only one.
Whether the show can launch on time in September remains uncertain, with no official confirmation from CBS.
Key figures
Scott Pelley, fired correspondent and former CBS Evening News anchor
Sharyn Alfonsi, fired correspondent
Cecilia Vega, fired correspondent
Anderson Cooper, former correspondent who left the network
Tanya Simon, fired executive producer
Bari Weiss, editor in chief of CBS News
Nick Bilton, executive producer of “60 Minutes”
Larry and David Ellison, owners of Skydance Media and CBS parent Paramount
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim, remaining correspondents
Sources: Variety, NPR
