60 Minutes in the age of Trump 2.0

[Horizon 273]

A forum topic discussing the longest running news magazine on network television.

 

The New York Times reporting major news that will affect the future of 60 Minutes.

 

Executive Producer Bill Owens will exit the program. He cites the fact that he doesn't feel like he has editorial control and freedom to be separated from the overall control of CBS News and its parent company, Paramount. This comes as they've been facing turmoil from the current administration.

 

"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. 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."

Edited April 23 by 24994J

[MorningNews 1498]

Horrible state of affairs. Just 4 months in. 

[TVNewsLover 787]

@24994J Why the name change to the thread? Isn't “60 Minutes” a better catch all for any news related to the program, just like the evening and morning programs having similar threads?

[24994J 5629]

3 minutes ago, TVNewsLover said:

@24994J Why the name change to the thread? Isn't “60 Minutes” a better catch all for any news related to the program, just like the evening and morning programs having similar threads?

 

The mod team has established that we have too many of these catch-all threads, and it's not just a logo or correspondent change that's leading to its creation. This specific storyline with the show isn't likely going away anytime soon. It may evolve and eventually turn into a catch-all, but this feels important enough, at this time, to keep this as a single topic discussion.

[Horizon 273]

And evolving it is...

 

What lead to Bill Owens' resignation seems to have come from, according to Semafor's reporting, Paramount owner Shari Redstone's watch on 60 Mins.

 

She wanted to know upcoming stories they were reporting on with President Trump that sparked a chain of events that resulted in Owens' departure. 

 

However, Redstone's spokesperson denied any involvement she had.

Edited April 23 by Horizon

[Geoffrey 873]

Very concerning. CBS News feels the need to bow down to a president with authoritarian tendencies to have their Paramount/Skydance merger go through.

[HanSolo 188]

It’s textbook. We’ve seen this play out over and over in countries throughout history and around the globe. It never, ever ends well. 

[tyrannical bastard 4033]

As long as 47 is in charge, I don't believe a word he says until it's either struck down or confirmed by a judge.  That's why we have the separation of powers.

[HanSolo 188]

1 hour ago, tyrannical bastard said:

 That's why we have the separation of powers.

Had. 

[MD TV 284]

Tonight's edition of 60 Minutes ended with a note on Owens. Some interesting words from Pelley:

 

 

[Action Newsroom 1300]

Wendy McMahon has resigned as CEO.

https://deadline.com/2025/05/wendy-mcmahon-resigns-cbs-news-1236404308/

[HanSolo 188]

This is textbook fascism in action. Use every lever of power to force the media into submission. Punish dissent. Stifle journalistic freedom. 
 

 

[tyrannical bastard 4033]

Or in 47s case, try and flood the room with chaos that has nothing to do with him because it's all about him.

 

Someone remind me...who is Skydance and why should they buy Paramount?  This and all of the other chaos is driving CBS/Paramount into the ground faster than Jeff Zucker did with NBC and CNN, combined.

[mre29 1563]

7 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Or in 47s case, try and flood the room with chaos that has nothing to do with him because it's all about him.

 

Someone remind me...who is Skydance and why should they buy Paramount?  This and all of the other chaos is driving CBS/Paramount into the ground faster than Jeff Zucker did with NBC and CNN, combined.

 

From Wikipedia's page about Skydance:

 

Quote

Skydance Media, LLC, also known as Skydance Productions, is an American media production and finance company based in Santa Monica, California. Founded by David Ellison in 2006, the company specialized in films, animation, television, video games, and sports.

 

What other chaos? It's mostly been Trump, his pet FCC commissioner Carr, and, before them, Shari Redstone that have caused any chaos.

 

[nathannah 2504]

As if this cursed deal and the people around it aren't enough chaos already, Shari Redstone has thyroid cancer, so once again it's another Viacom/CBS/Paramount deal where a Redstone's health is throwing a wrench into the works.

 

I hope she gets well, but I'm sorry about what they're doing to your baby, Bill Paley.

Edited 15 hours ago by nathannah