The saga of behind-the-scenes changes at 60 Minutes took a significant turn this week after longtime correspondent Scott Pelley was fired. Since then, media pundits have weighed in on that decision, and execs at CBS News have also faced backlash. Pelley’s dismissal and prior personnel moves at the company have translated into some less-than-flattering headlines focusing on the Eye Network’s news brand. A source and a 60 staffer have since spoken out about the blowback and provided thoughts on the show’s next steps.
Nick Bilton, who was recently named executive producer of 60 Minutes, is among the high-ranking people who have been embroiled in headlines as of late. A tech journalist and filmmaker, Bilton reportedly reached an impasse with Pelley, who asserted to Bilton that execs were “murdering” the show. In the aftermath of Pelley’s firing, a source from within CBS shared comments with CNN and spoke to how cognizant employees are about how 60 must perform when it returns for its new season this September:
