CBS News Names Tanya Simon as New Executive Producer of “60 Minutes”
On Thursday, CBS News announced the appointment of Tanya Simon as the new executive producer of the renowned program “60 Minutes.” This change comes shortly after a significant $16 million settlement with former President Trump.
Tanya, who is the daughter of the late “60 Minutes” correspondent Bob Simon, has been at the helm of a temporary news magazine since Bill Owens resigned unexpectedly in April, coinciding with a lawsuit Trump filed over a contentious interview with Kamala Harris.
With her new role, Simon becomes the fourth executive producer to lead the show since its inception under Don Hewitt back in the late 1960s.
Her appointment also aligns with ongoing discussions at CBS’s parent company, Paramount, as they work towards finalizing a deal with Skydance Media, which now awaits approval from the FCC.
Skydance, known for box office successes like “Mission: Impossible,” has assured FCC Chair Brendan Carr this week that they will set up a Diversity Practice within CBS News and appoint an ombudsman aimed at addressing media bias.
In a related development, Trump feels optimistic about the potential for an enhanced partnership with Paramount, which he believes might yield another $20 million from Skydance in the forms of advertising and public service announcements, emphasizing that he has uncovered exclusive information from the outlet.
This anticipated funding would be in addition to the earlier $16 million payment made by CBS News to settle Trump’s lawsuit regarding the controversial interview.
It’s worth noting that Owens had expressed dissent over the resolution of Trump’s lawsuit.
Simon brings 25 years of experience with “60 Minutes,” and her appointment received robust backing from recognized members of the staff.
All seven current correspondents for “60 Minutes”—Leslie Stahl, Scott Pelley, Bill Whitaker, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, John Dickerson, and Cecilia Vega—had even penned a letter in May advocating for Simon to be named the executive producer.
“We believe Tanya Simon embodies the essence of ’60 Minutes’,” stated CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski in a Thursday announcement. “She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer, and someone who knows how to motivate others.”
