Paramount Skydance's CBS News has appointed Nick Bilton, a former New York Times technology columnist with no prior experience in running a TV news show, as the new executive producer of '60 Minutes.' He replaces Tanya Simon, who had a 30-year tenure with the program.
Bilton's challenge will be to gain the trust of CBS News employees amid concerns that recent newsroom changes are politically motivated. His hiring comes at a time when '60 Minutes' ratings are up 9% from the previous year, but he acknowledges the need for a strategic pivot to avoid potential declines in viewership.
Bilton has indicated that while he plans to implement changes, he does not intend to completely overhaul the show. He aims to demonstrate that his appointment is not politically driven, emphasizing his commitment to accountability in journalism.
This leadership change is part of a broader restructuring at CBS, which has seen other significant programming shifts recently, including the end of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.' As Paramount seeks to merge with Warner Bros.
Discovery, the outcome of Bilton's leadership will be closely watched, particularly in the context of maintaining the program's status as the No. 1 news broadcast in America