Calling for ‘new approach,’ CBS’s Bari Weiss replaces executive producer at ’60 Minutes’

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss announced the replacement of '60 Minutes' executive producer Tanya Simon with Nick Bilton, a longtime technology journalist and documentarian, effective immediately. Simon, who took the role a year ago after 30 years at the show, is leaving as part of a broader restructuring aimed at adapting '60 Minutes' for the 21st century. Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski emphasized in a memo to staff that the goal is to expand the show beyond its traditional one-hour format while maintaining its legacy of ambition, fairness, and fearlessness. Bilton, who has no prior broadcast experience but was a former New York Times technology columnist, described '60 Minutes' as the most important television journalism brand in U.S. history. He acknowledged the need for the show to evolve, stating that its audience and the way news is consumed have changed significantly since its 1968 premiere. Bilton vowed to ensure the show remains relevant for another 60 years by adapting to these shifts. The changes follow a period of controversy for '60 Minutes,' including a July 2023 settlement with former President Donald Trump over a disputed Kamala Harris interview and the delayed airing of a Sharyn Alfonsi segment on Trump administration deportees in El Salvador. Alfonsi’s report, initially scheduled for December 2023, was postponed after Weiss directed the show to seek additional administration input, a decision Alfonsi privately criticized as politically motivated. The story eventually aired in January 2024 with revised administration commentary but no on-camera interviews. Alongside Bilton’s appointment, Weiss announced the departures of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. The moves align with Weiss’ broader agenda since joining CBS parent company Paramount Global in October 2023, where she has become a polarizing figure in journalism. Critics have questioned whether her leadership is shifting CBS News toward a more Trump-friendly direction, particularly after increased visibility of Trump administration officials on the network. Weiss and Cibrowski framed the changes as necessary to secure the show’s future, calling for a 'new approach' that leverages digital platforms and deepens '60 Minutes'' role across CBS News. Bilton’s appointment reflects this shift, bringing a fresh perspective from outside traditional broadcast journalism.