By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-05 16:31:05 | Updated at 2026-06-08 01:02:46
2 days ago
CBS execs have long touted 60 Minutes' status as the number-one newsmagazine on television.
But the 'reality' behind the broadcast's success is somewhat stilted, according to Hollywood's go-to source for insider information.
Sports lead-ins almost every Sunday have masked much of the show's losses, Puck's Matt Belloni reported on Friday.
Belloni pointed out how the 9.1 million viewers most recently touted by Paramount differs greatly from 'the 5 million to 6 million viewer range' it finds itself every February, when the NFL season ends and before March Madness or the Masters in April.
The dip puts a noticeable dent in 60's status at 'the leader among newsmagazines,' Belloni wrote.
He noted how during those weeks, the program is 'not that much ahead of Dateline on NBC or 20/20 on ABC.'
60 Minutes has held the distinction for decades - a point critics of Paramount and CBS News' current management have made while criticizing Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss's recent changes at the newsmagazine.
Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was fired on Tuesday after voicing his own distaste during a Monday meeting with newly-minted executive producer Nick Bilton.
Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was fired from the high-rated broadcast on Tuesday after a brush with CBS management during a Monday meeting
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss was accused of 'murdering' the show by Pelley despite not being present. She has implemented a host of changes at the network and show since assuming her position in October
Bilton, 49, was brought in by Weiss to help oversee 60 Minutes on the same day that correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were forced out.
Longtime correspondent Anderson Cooper allowed his contract to expire last month, leaving behind only Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim.
Stahl is now being advised by Hollywood super-agent and Creative Artists Agency CEO Bryan Lourd, Puck reported Friday.
Cooper signed with Lourd this time last year after a lengthy stint with United Talent Agency (UTA).
At the time, Paramount was in the midst of finalizing its merger with David Ellison's Skydance.
Ellison, 43, is now the company's CEO. He hired Weiss in October.
The representation for Stahl 'is new,' according to Puck.
Bilton praised her, Whitaker, and Wertheim in a Thursday email to staff that doubled down on his commitment to the show's editorial independence.
'We talked about what makes 60 Minutes exceptional, about the traditions and legacy of the past, about how you do the work that produces such momentous pieces. We also talked about change: About new audiences, new platforms, and new ways of storytelling that these new audiences need,' Bilton said of the trio.
A slew of departures hit the newsmagazine last week, after veteran Anderson Cooper's exit in May
New exec Nick Bilton, 49, was brought in by Weiss to help oversee an increasingly new-look 60 Minutes on the same day that correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were forced out
'We'll speak more about that in the weeks to come.'
Pelley, Vega, and Alfonsi all raised concerns to CBS management about the show's editorial independence either before or directly after their exits.
The Daily Mail approached CBS News for comment.
