Long -term 60 minutes Executive producer Bill Owens resigns. In an email to the staff, Owens quoted an inability “to make independent decisions according to what was good for 60 minutes. “”
“In the past few months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to perform the show because I have always executed it,” wrote Owens. “Make independent decisions based on what was good 60 minutesJust for the public. So, after defending this show – and what we defend – from all angles, over time with everything I could, I retire so that the show can move forward. »»
Owens’ decision has sent shock to CBS News, says a source The Hollywood Reporter. In a memo to himself, the CEO of CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures, Wendy McMahon, wrote that she was “committed 60 minutes And to ensure that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already started conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and these will continue in the days and weeks to come. »»
“On a personal note, working with Bill was one of the great privileges of my career,” she added. “Staying behind what he defended was an easy decision for me, and I never took it for granted that he did the same for me.”
The source indicates that they thought that other resignations to the show could follow, according to what had Owens resign. Paramount was in settlement talks with President Trump about a legal action filed for an interview with Vice-President Kamala Harris before last year’s elections.
Owens is only the third executive producer in the history of the venerable CBS Newsmagazine, after having resumed the program in 2019. Last year, he also added monitoring of News from CBS Enirthat CBS has chosen to restart in the style of 60 minutes.
“”60 minutes As a brand, its importance for viewers on platforms is immeasurable, and the strength of its distinctive approach, obviously memorable, every Sunday evening is without comparison, “said McMahon THR restart at the time.
60 minutes was the CBS News lighthouse almost since he broadcast his first episode in 1968. The program is the most watched news program in the United States, and its interviews and investigations have often established the news cycle.
He also historically worked with a certain degree of independence from the rest of CBS, with his own stable of producers and correspondents, and an office and a studio located outside the CBS Broadcast Center on the west side of Manhattan.
The extent to which this independence is hampered could determine what will then happen.
Here is Owens’ email in its entirety:
The fact is that 60 minutes was my life. My son was 6 months old, my wife was pregnant with my daughter and my mother was in a coma when I spent 5 weeks on the battlefield in Iraq with Scott. My 60 -minute priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear.
In recent months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to perform the show because I have always executed it. To make independent decisions depending on what was good for 60 minutes, just for the public. So, after defending this show – and what we defend – from all angles, over time with everything I could, I retire so that the show can move forward.
The show is too important for the country, it must continue, but not with me as an executive producer. Remember that people did not think of surviving without Mike or Ed or Don or Jeff. We did it. You will be.
60 minutes will continue to cover the new administration because we will report on future administrations. We will report in war areas, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, 60 minutes will do what she has done for 57 years.
Wendy McMahon has always had its back, and it should be made 60 minutes to be made by a 60 -minute producer (s). Tanya was an incredible partner, just like Claudia and Debbie, Matt Richman and Matt Polevoy. I am grateful to everyone.
Listen, I have been working at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of this at 60 minutes, I was killed and threatened with prison to protect a source. I supervised more than 600 stories as an executive producer of 60 years. I know who I am and what I did to cover the most important stories of our time in difficult conditions. I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents and call Lesley, Bill, Anderson, Sharyn, Jon, Cecilia and Scott. Scott one of my closest.
Thank you all, stay focused on the moment, our audience deserves it.
Here is McMahon’s memo:
Hi everyone,
After 37 years, Bill Owens put an end to his illustrious career at CBS News, 24 of these years on the program of the most important news in America, 60 minutes. His note to the team is below.
As an executive producer, Bill led 60 minutes with unshakable integrity, curiosity and deep commitment to the truth. He defended the type of journalism that informs, lights up and often changes the national conversation.
His dedication to finding and feeding talents will be felt through CBS News for years. Bill will be with us in the coming weeks, there will therefore be time and the possibility of thanking Bill for his immeasurable contributions to CBS News, 60 minutes and the profession of journalism as a whole.
Tom and I are committed to 60 minutes and ensure that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already started conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and these will continue in the days and weeks to come.
On a personal note, working with Bill was one of the great privileges of my career. Stoping behind what he represented was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me.
Wendy
