CBS News's "60 Minutes" faces an unusually turbulent start to its new season after editor-in-chief Bari Weiss overhauled the show's leadership in May and June, removing top editorial figures and prompting the departure of veteran correspondent Anderson Cooper. The disruption reportedly disrupted the show's usual off-season preparation, leaving new executive producer Nick Bilton with less of a buffer of pre-approved "evergreen" stories than is customary, just as the programme prepares to begin its demanding weekly production schedule.

The 59th season is set to launch on Sunday 13 September, earlier than usual, with Bilton said to have approved more than three dozen stories currently in various stages of production, over a dozen of which are already in editing. He is reportedly keen to expand the show's investigative tradition, including coverage of artificial intelligence, while also assembling a refreshed line-up featuring Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger and Norah O'Donnell alongside veterans Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim, who chose to remain despite the shake-up.