CBS names Nick Bilton, who has no TV news experience, to lead ’60 Minutes’

CBS News has replaced the veteran television producer at the top of its flagship “60 Minutes” program with someone with no TV news experience.

Nick Bilton, who has worked on documentary and writing projects and served as a technology columnist for The New York Times, will lead the program moving forward. 

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“Nick is one of the most entrepreneurial journalists of our time and the perfect leader for one of the most entrepreneurial news brands of all time,” said CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, in a statement. 

He replaces Tanya Simon, who had spent 25 years of her career with the newsmagazine. Simon is the daughter of the late CBS News reporter Bob Simon and was the first woman to be named executive producer of “60 Minutes.”

Like Bilton, Weiss, too, had no television news experience when the new owners of Paramount named her to her current role. She also had little experience with hard journalism. Most of her resume was filled with work on commentary, analysis, reviews and opinion content. 

As part of her deal to join the network, Paramount also agreed to purchase her digital publication The Free Press, which is largely focused on offering opinion, perspectives and commentary. The arrangement means that she runs the CBS newsroom while also staying on at The Free Press, despite the potential for concerns over conflicts of interest and bias.

“We have huge ambition for ‘60 Minutes’ to reach new heights through deep, revelatory journalism that breaks news, exposes wrongdoing, widens public understanding and forces accountability from every institution and every center of power,” said Weiss.

Separately, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega also departed the network, according to sources. Alfonsi confirmed that the network did not renew her contract. 

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The moves are the latest in a series of steps that followed Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount. 

Since joining the network, Weiss ordered a “60 Minutes” segment that had been fully produced and vetted by the network’s internal teams pulled from the lineup shortly before air, citing concerns that the piece needed a response from the Trump administration. 

Many of Weiss’ moves, as well as broader ones taken by billionaires David and Larry Ellison, have been seen as strategy responses to the Trump administration. The network has also been accused of becoming aligned more with the right.

CBS, however, says the changes are in a response for what it sees as increased interest in content covering more perspectives. It has bolstered its talent stable with commentators while experienced and respected journalists exited.

CBS News did not comment beyond its announcement. 

An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of Bilton’s name.