Key facts
- CBS News leadership sent a memo to staffers on Sunday to build excitement for the new season of "60 Minutes."
- The memo teased an interview with a US Air Force officer rescued from Iran.
- The 59th season of "60 Minutes" will feature five correspondents and five contributors.
- Veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim decided to return to the program.
- Lead producer Nick Bilton started his tenure by firing longtime correspondent Scott Pelley.
CBS News leadership is working to energize staff ahead of the upcoming season of "60 Minutes," which is relaunching under top editor Bari Weiss. In a memo sent to staffers on Sunday, newsroom leaders, including Weiss, expressed excitement for the new season and thanked the CBS News team for their support over the summer.
The memo highlights a significant upcoming interview with a US Air Force officer who was rescued from Iran in April, describing it as a piece "everyone has been chasing." The 59th season of the program will feature five correspondents – Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim, Norah O'Donnell, and Ross Douthat – along with five contributors. Douthat joined CBS from The New York Times in July.
The relaunch follows a turbulent period for "60 Minutes." Lead producer Nick Bilton, appointed by Weiss in May, began his tenure by firing veteran correspondent Scott Pelley. Pelley had reportedly questioned Bilton's qualifications and accused Weiss of damaging the program. Weiss addressed the firings, stating her interest in a newsroom built on trust and mutual respect. Veteran correspondents Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim, who have been with "60 Minutes" for many years, have decided to return, expressing a desire to see the show continue and to build trust with Bilton.