New ‘60 Minutes’ head Nick Bilton says Paramount’s CBS News hired him to pivot the show before ratings decline CBS News has appointed former tech columnist Nick Bilton as the new executive producer of “60 Minutes.” Bilton, who has experience producing documentaries for HBO and Netflix, replaces Tanya Simon. His hiring comes amidst a period of significant change at CBS and Paramount, including a potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and past legal issues involving “60 Minutes” and Donald Trump.

• Nick Bilton, a former New York Times technology columnist and documentary filmmaker, has been named the new executive producer of “60 Minutes.”
• Bilton replaces Tanya Simon and faces challenges in winning over CBS News employees who perceive changes as politically motivated.
• His hiring occurs during a period of corporate restructuring at Paramount, which owns CBS News, and ongoing efforts to merge Paramount with Warner Bros. Discovery.
• A past lawsuit against “60 Minutes” by Donald Trump and the departure of anchor Anderson Cooper add to the context of the leadership change.
• Bilton states his commitment to proving his hiring is not political and aims to pivot the show proactively before potential rating declines, citing historical examples of disruption after technological shifts.