<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/cbs-news/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CBS News’s </a><em>60 Minutes</em> experienced a decline in ratings for its season premiere, with the first episode under new leadership attracting approximately 2 million fewer viewers than last year’s debut.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The CBS program garnered about 7.94 million viewers for its 59th season premiere on Sunday, according to data released by the network. This figure represents a decrease of over 20% from the roughly 10 million viewers who watched the previous season’s premiere.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The drop in viewership occurred during the first season under CBS News Editor-in-Chief <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/bari-weiss/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bari Weiss</a> and new executive producer Nick Bilton, who took over the program following a significant shake-up this summer. Bilton, a longtime technology journalist, was appointed in May as the fifth executive producer in the show’s history.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite the year-over-year decline, CBS highlighted that <em>60 Minutes</em> remained the week’s top nonsports primetime program among total viewers and adults aged 18 and older, as well as those aged 25 to 54. It was also the highest-rated news program in those demographics on Sunday, according to the network’s release.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The newsmagazine also reported strong digital performance, stating that clips from the premiere generated 116.7 million video views across the program’s social media platforms, and YouTube watch time increased by 115%.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sunday’s episode featured an interview with a U.S. Air Force weapons system officer who survived after his F-15E was shot down over Iran, a profile of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, and an investigation into individuals seeking money to facilitate presidential pardons.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The premiere followed months of changes at the long-running program. Weiss appointed Bilton to replace Tanya Simon as part of a “new approach” intended to expand <em>60 Minutes</em> beyond its traditional Sunday broadcast.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Longtime correspondent <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/scott-pelley/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scott Pelley</a> was terminated shortly after confronting Bilton during a staff meeting and accusing Weiss of “murdering” the program. Bilton stated in Pelley’s termination letter that the veteran correspondent had exhibited hostility toward the new leadership and was unwilling to work collaboratively. Pelley had been with the show since 2004.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega also left amid the restructuring. Former <em>60 Minutes</em> executive producer Bill Owens and other network veterans have publicly expressed concerns regarding the program’s direction and editorial independence.</p>