CBS Names New ’60 Minutes’ EP in Wake of New Approach Requirement
Seeking to expand the appeal of one of the country’s favorite news television programs, CBS has named Nick Bilton the new executive producer of 60 Minutes – the news program whose late founder was Bob Simon’s father, who died in October last year.
The appointment follows a call for “a new approach” from 60 Minutes’ chief Bari Weiss to respond to the ever-changing nature of watching TV news.
Simon herself had served as EP of the popular news program for more than three years. Under her stewardship, 60 Minutes became famous for airing deep investigation pieces and celebrity interviews.
As a replacement, CBS chose Nick Bilton, a filmmaker and journalist who has written books and produced documentary films on different topics. The key difference between Bilton and the previous executives of the program is that he has experience working with digital media rather than the usual news network TV programs.
Reasons Why Leadership Changed at CBS
From CBS’s perspective regarding this leadership shift, there is much more to follow in their efforts to build stronger branding of 60 Minutes beyond its current Sunday broadcast television airing.
CBS has increasingly leaned on streamable services, social media websites, podcasts, and videos to disseminate content through. Even while 60 Minutes can certainly be said to have maintained its status as one of the best-rated news programs on television, CBS is keenly aware of a need for more from 60 Minutes.
Courtesy of Presia Debauch (Flickr CC0)One of the important themes coming out of CBS management is that they do not see a need for the program to pivot but rather find ways of reaching more people.
Top Television News Shows
There have been several television shows which have existed since the start of televisions but one of these is the “60 Minutes,” first broadcast in the year 1968.
This particular program has been entertaining and educating viewers for a long time despite growing competition in the field through a combination of its investigative reporting, politics, and in-depth features.
The 60 Minutes has received many accolades including Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and various other journalism awards.
What Will Follow
The transition takes place at a time when several other traditional news programs on TV are trying to adapt to meet changing consumption trends among their audiences.
While CBS hasn’t announced any plans about transitioning the 60 Minutes into something else, the appointment of Bilton suggests that the company is interested in finding ways to deliver news programs in new ways that will suit a growing number of consumers that get news from the internet.
Meanwhile, CBS executives say that they will focus on maintaining the tradition of excellent journalism that has been a hallmark of 60 Minutes throughout the years as well as seeking out ways to grow in the future.
It certainly seems like a major change in terms of leadership for the show.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
AP News: Calling for ‘new approach,’ CBS News leader Bari Weiss replaces executive producer at ’60 Minutes’
NBC News: In major shake-up, CBS replaces ‘60 Minutes’ executive producer with tech journalist
Featured Image Courtesy of Focal Foto‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Presia Debauch‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
