The fifth Executive Producer in the history of CBS’ Sunday early prime newsmagazine “60 Minutes” has been named. And, it is the first to bring experience from outside linear television to the program.
Earning the EP role for the program is Nick Bilton, an investigative journalist, best-selling author and filmmaker.
News of Bilton’s hiring was made on Thursday by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski.
At The New York Times, he covered technology. He’s also contributed to features and investigative coverage at Vanity Fair. Beyond print journalism, Bilton has written two books on the digital revolution; hosted interview and video podcasts, and has written and produced news documentaries including “The Inventor,” “Fake Famous” and “Biggest Heist Ever.”
Weiss calls Bilton “one of the most entrepreneurial journalists of our time and the perfect leader for one of the most entrepreneurial news brands of all time. We have huge ambition for 60 Minutes to reach new heights through deep, revelatory journalism that breaks news, exposes wrongdoing, widens public understanding and forces accountability from every institution and every center of power. Nick shares this mission and will bring his deep investigative experience and understanding of the technological moment we’re in to 60 Minutes so that its important journalism comes to life for all audiences.”
Cibrowski added, “Hiring Nick represents a deliberate vision for 60 Minutes to go beyond an hour on Sunday evenings to become a 360-degree product that reaches audiences wherever they consume information. Our ambition is to do hard-hitting journalism that respects our existing audience, brings in new audiences and enables viewers to proactively devote their attention to our work across every platform and medium.”
Bilton commented, “It is an extraordinary honor to lead the next chapter of 60 Minutes, one of the most important journalism institutions in this nation’s history. The mission of the program remains as vital as ever: pursuing the truth, holding power to account and remaining fearless in the face of any external pressure or influence.”
