Since its creation nearly 60 years ago, CBS’ “60 Minutes” has had only three executive producers. Now, one of them is leaving the award-winning show.
The top producer of the long-running Sunday news program, Bill Owens, revealed in an internal memo obtained by The New York Times that he’s stepping down. The memo cited the loss of the ability to “make independent decisions” as the reason for his departure.
What did the memo say?
Owens reportedly said in the all-staff memo that he would no longer be allowed to run the show like he had and that he was stepping aside to let the show “move forward.”
“Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,” right for the audience,” Owens wrote in the memo. “So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”
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Why does it come at a tense time?
As Straight Arrow News has previously reported, President Donald Trump has criticized “60 Minutes.” Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS and its parent company, Paramount, accusing the network of editing an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election to show her in a more favorable light. The lawsuit contends CBS deceptively shortened Harris’ answer to a question about the war in Gaza during the televised program. CBS argues the answer was shortened due to time constraints and said the full answer was available online.
Trump pushed for CBS to lose its broadcast license on Truth Social on April 13, citing an interview on “60 Minutes” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the program, Trump was shown commending Russian President Vladimir Putin while criticizing Zelenskyy. The president also said a piece on Greenland showed him in a false light.
How has Owens responded to a possible settlement?
Owens previously said he would not apologize as part of a settlement with Trump, which Paramount is reportedly considering. Its leading shareholder, Shari Redstone, is seeking approval from the Trump administration for the sale of her company to Skydance.
What is the latest on settlement talks?
According to The Times, settlement talks between Paramount and Trump are still underway.
In his farewell memo, The Times reported that Owens vowed the program would continue covering Trump.
“‘60 Minutes’ will continue to cover the new administration as we will report on future administrations,” Owens said. “The show is too important to the country. It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer.”
Owens was hired as the executive producer for “60 Minutes” in 2019 and reportedly interned at CBS in 1988.
It’s currently unclear who the next executive producer of the program will be. CBS News and Stations President Wendy McMahon reportedly announced Tuesday, April 22, that she is “committed to ‘60 Minutes’ and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority.”
