’60 Minutes’ expands its reach: A new era for the iconic newsmagazine
A new chapter for ’60 Minutes’
The legendary CBS newsmagazine, ’60 Minutes’, is stepping into its 57th season with a bold new strategy. Moving beyond its traditional Sunday evening slot, the show is launching a free ad-supported streaming channel. This channel will feature a treasure trove of investigations, profiles, and features, including the timeless essays of Andy Rooney and the hard-hitting reports of Mike Wallace. The streaming channel is available on Paramount+, Pluto, and CBS News digital platforms starting Thursday. Additionally, a new 12-episode audio series, ’60 Minutes: A Second Look’, hosted by CBS News correspondent Seth Doane, will debut on September 17, offering listeners access to a vault of stories and exclusive interviews with producers and correspondents.
Special editions and extended episodes
Mark your calendars for Monday, October 7, when a special edition of ’60 Minutes’ will air, featuring new reporting on both Republican and Democratic candidates. The show, which experimented with 90-minute episodes last season, plans to bring back these extended formats with six such episodes scheduled between now and the end of 2024.
Expanding the audience
“I want ’60 Minutes’ to have as many eyeballs on it as possible in as many places as we can be,” says Bill Owens, the executive producer of the newsmagazine. As the producers work to expand distribution, they remain committed to the show’s renowned storytelling. Correspondent Cecilia Vega, for instance, spent August investigating a conflict in the South China Sea, where Chinese ships have been entering Philippine waters and engaging in aggressive actions. Vega’s team boarded a ship to witness these events firsthand and experienced a harrowing incident when their vessel was rammed by a Chinese ship.
The importance of storytelling
Vega’s account of the incident is gripping. “It was kind of terrifying,” she recalls. “The Filipinos were running around frantically, racing between decks, getting helmets on. They told us we had to have our life jackets on.” The ship they were on had been rammed, and there was uncertainty about the extent of the damage and whether the Chinese would attempt to board. Thanks to the Filipino crew’s recordings, Vega’s team was able to reconstruct the event down to the moment of impact.
Adapting to the streaming era
Keeping the show’s signature stopwatch ticking in the streaming era means focusing on both content and accessibility. “How are we expanding the universe of ’60 Minutes’ to meet the audience’s expectations?” asks Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, stations, and syndication businesses. Expanding the number of ways the show can be experienced can “surprise and delight” viewers, driving both fandom and revenue.
Previous expansions and new projects
This isn’t the first time ’60 Minutes’ has expanded its reach. In recent years, the show has established a presence on YouTube and experimented with an extension on Quibi, the short-form video service launched by Jeffrey Katzenberg. Each new venture requires tailoring the show for the new medium. When ’60 Minutes’ extends to 90 minutes, producers use the extra half-hour to tell “layered” stories over two 11-minute segments. The new FAST channel will primarily feature archival content, but there will be weeks when current material is made available. The audio series will tap into the expertise of veteran producers and correspondents, adding behind-the-scenes insights to past stories.
Special projects and future plans
Nicole Young, a top ’60 Minutes’ producer, has been assigned to oversee special projects. Young, who has worked with correspondent Scott Pelley for 20 years, will continue to produce stories with him. These new projects add to the responsibilities of the ’60 Minutes’ staff, including Owens, who is also involved in overseeing a new edition of ‘CBS Evening News’ slated to debut after the 2024 election.
“There is more, but I’ve asked for more,” says Owens. “We all care about protecting the brand. That’s Job 1, 2, and 3. But getting it out there in front of as many people as possible is very close. That’s Job 1A.”
Final thoughts
As ’60 Minutes’ embarks on this new chapter, it remains dedicated to delivering compelling stories while adapting to the evolving media landscape. Whether through streaming, extended episodes, or special projects, the show continues to innovate and expand its reach, ensuring that its impactful journalism reaches a broader audience.
For more information and to watch trailers of the latest episodes, visit 60 Minutes.