Story perspectives

CBS Hires Douthat, Fires Pelley, Cooper Departs 60 Minutes

8/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

CBS hired New York Times columnist Ross Douthat as a 60 Minutes correspondent under editor Bari Weiss.
The hire drew criticism from Daily Beast and Poynter, saying it could shift the program rightward.
60 Minutes averaged 9.1 million viewers in 2025-2026, a 10% rise, with its 25-54 audience growing 5%.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced he is leaving 60 Minutes, remaining at CNN.
60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was fired after confronting executive producer Nick Bilton.

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Story summary

CBS hired New York Times columnist Ross Douthat as a 60 Minutes correspondent under editor Bari Weiss.
The hire drew criticism from Daily Beast and Poynter, saying it could shift the program rightward.
60 Minutes averaged 9.1 million viewers in 2025-2026, a 10% rise, with its 25-54 audience growing 5%.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced he is leaving 60 Minutes, remaining at CNN.
60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was fired after confronting executive producer Nick Bilton.