‘60 Minutes’ In Exile: Are Former Producers and Correspondents Plotting Their Own Show?

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‘60 Minutes’ In Exile: Are Former Producers and Correspondents Plotting Their Own Show?

The Hollywood Reporter · 3 hours ago

Former employees of CBS's 60 Minutes newsmagazine are reportedly exploring a comeback through a new streaming venture. Bill Owens, who previously served as the programme's executive producer, has been attempting to secure funding—reportedly around $50 million—to launch a news programme that would reunite him with former colleagues, potentially including correspondent Scott Pelley and other displaced staff members. However, a representative close to Owens disputed the accuracy of these reports to the press.

The proposal faces substantial practical obstacles. The television industry has generally moved away from expensive regular news programming on streaming platforms, with services like Netflix prioritising documentaries and other formats instead. Even if produced at lower costs, a traditional newsmagazine would struggle to generate sufficient revenue through YouTube or independent distribution to justify the production investment. Meanwhile, 60 Minutes itself continues operations under new leadership at CBS, having hired replacements from prominent media outlets and retaining several longstanding correspondents, though the departures of key staff represent a significant shift in the programme's composition.

  • Former 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens is reportedly seeking $50 million to launch a new news program with displaced 60 Minutes staff including correspondent Scott Pelley, though a source close to Owens denied the report.
  • The proposed venture faces significant challenges: streamers have largely avoided regular news programming, and recouping costs through YouTube or self-distribution would be difficult despite the reduced production budgets available.
  • 60 Minutes has undergone major staffing changes under new leadership, including the departure of Pelley and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, replaced by new hires from traditional media and digital outlets.

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