Nick Bilton, Bari Weiss, Tom Cibrowski Send Congratulatory ’60 Minutes’ Memo to Staff Ahead of Season Premiere

CBS News and 60 Minutes leaders sent a memo to staff to “congratulate the team on the launch of what will be an exciting season” ahead of the season 59 premiere on Sunday evening.

In the email sent Sunday morning and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton, CBS News Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, wanted to take a moment to thank “everyone across CBS News for the support over this summer.”

This memo comes after 60 Minutes experienced a major staff overhaul and leadership shake-up in recent months, led by Weiss. Last year, Weiss was appointed by David Ellison, the current owner of CBS after his Skydance Media acquired Paramount Global, to oversee the editorial direction of CBS News.

Under her leadership, the long-running show has seen an exodus of talent, both voluntary departures and forced ones, including former managing editor Guy Campanile, former executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega and Scott Pelley.

Most recently, Campanile broke his silence on his firing, saying the axing in May came as he and several colleagues “refused to be accomplices in the destruction of the most prestigious news program on American television.”

“We would not compromise our principles or reputations by jamming unverifiable notions or White House talking points into our reporting. We objected when told to conduct interviews arranged by the administration,” he added in his post, according to The Guardian.

While 60 Minutes saw a handful of new hires over the summer, veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim and Norah O’Donnell are also returning for season 59.

The new season premieres on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, and will feature segments on President Donald Trump’s controversial use of the presidential pardon, a profile of the Los Angeles Rams and coach Sean McVay and an exclusive interview with the U.S. pilot who was shot down and rescued in Iran.

Read the full memo sent to staff below.

All — 

We don’t often send notes to the whole newsroom. But today calls for it. It’s a big moment for 60 Minutes and CBS.

Ahead of our premiere, we wanted to congratulate the team on the launch of what will be an exciting season—and to thank everyone across the CBS newsroom.

Tonight’s episode is a powerful start with three original, revelatory stories that showcase 60 at its best. We begin with the interview everyone has been chasing. Then, a hidden camera investigation and a profile of a NFL superteam’s wunderkind coach. We also have a cameo from one of our new correspondents on the story of our time: AI.

We are deeply thankful to everyone across CBS News for the support over this summer. That especially goes for social, digital, graphics, marketing, and, above all, the investigative unit. 

Last but not least: You’ve probably seen the great “It’s Time” campaign everywhere. That push continues through tonight’s game. We’d be grateful if you can spread the word to your friends and followers by sharing these promos today.

This is just the start and there’s so much more to come. See you tonight at 7:30pm!  

Nick, Bari, and Tom

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