A Legacy Continues: Veteran Producer Takes Helm of Iconic News Magazine Amidst Recent Controversies and Unanimous Staff Support
New York, USA: It’s official! CBS News has announced that Tanya Simon is the new executive producer of its legendary newsmagazine, “60 Minutes.” This is a huge moment for the broadcast, as Simon becomes only the fourth executive producer in the show’s incredible 57-year history, and, remarkably, the very first woman to hold the top spot.
Simon steps into the role following the resignation of Bill Owens earlier this year. Owens, who had been the EP, made headlines when he cited “corporate interference” as his reason for leaving, telling staff that he felt he “would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it.” Simon had already been serving as the interim EP since his departure, steering the ship through a challenging period.
Her appointment isn’t just a corporate decision; it’s a popular one. Simon has been a dedicated producer on the program for a quarter-century, building deep respect within the team. In fact, she was the overwhelmingly preferred choice among the show’s correspondents. They even took the extraordinary step of sending a letter to CBS chief George Cheeks earlier this year, specifically asking for her to be named the permanent executive producer. It’s a testament to her standing that the notoriously insular “60 Minutes” team rallied behind her so strongly.
Tanya Simon also carries a significant legacy – she’s the daughter of the late, revered “60 Minutes” correspondent Bob Simon. She first began her career at CBS way back in 1996 as a researcher for “48 Hours” before moving to “60 Minutes” in 2000. Her extensive experience includes working with nearly all the program’s correspondents, producing high-profile stories from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to an investigation into Lance Armstrong, and securing news-making interviews with figures like Julian Assange and hero pilot “Sully” Sullenberger.
Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, lauded Simon in a recent statement, saying, “Tanya Simon understands what makes 60 Minutes tick. She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer, and someone who knows how to inspire people. Tanya knows that the success of today’s 60 Minutes depends on delivering a weekly mix of the most informative, impactful and entertaining stories and investigative journalism from around the world. This is the true essence and foundation of 60 Minutes.”
Simon herself expressed her deep commitment to the program: “It is a privilege to lead 60 Minutes and its formidable team of journalists. ‘60’ is in a class of its own, upholding a legacy of extraordinary and thought-provoking journalism for more than half a century. I’m deeply committed to this level of excellence and I look forward to delivering an exciting season of signature 60 stories that cover a wide range of subjects for a broad audience and engage viewers with their world.”
Inside CBS News, the feeling was reportedly one of relief and excitement, according to an insider source. This positive reception comes after a period of internal tension, particularly following the highly publicized lawsuit settlement between Paramount Global (CBS’s parent company) and President Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from a “60 Minutes” interview conducted with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Most observers viewed Trump’s suit as baseless, given standard editing practices in interviews. However, the settlement itself — where Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to Trump’s future presidential library — sparked considerable anger and outrage within both CBS News and specifically “60 Minutes” staff, who felt it undermined journalistic integrity.
With Simon at the helm, the hope is that “60 Minutes” will continue its legacy of groundbreaking journalism, navigating complex media landscapes with the experience and leadership that staff so clearly trust.