60 Minutes is not being canceled, despite a turbulent stretch that has led to major staffing changes at the CBS newsmagazine. CBS has not announced any plan to end the long-running program, and it is still expected to return for its 59th season. But the show’s future has become a subject of debate after several high-profile departures and firings, along with broader leadership changes at CBS News.
The upheaval has drawn strong criticism from former 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, who described the shakeups as “disastrous” and accused CBS of journalistic interference. He said the program as viewers have known it “no longer exists,” while also noting that the show remains a ratings success, making the extent of the disruption appear especially striking.
Recent changes began with the departure of executive producer Tanya Simon, followed by the firing of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. On June 2, 2026, longtime correspondent Scott Pelley was also fired after reportedly criticizing CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and questioning newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton during a staff meeting. Pelley had been with CBS News since 1989 and was one of the most recognizable figures associated with the show.
Pelley later said in a statement that his role in the program’s stewardship had once been to help guide it into a new era of media technology while preserving the values audiences expected. He argued that the network’s new ownership was discarding a storied institution in order to gain favor with the Trump administration. In his remarks, he described the situation as heartbreaking and said he hoped for a future in which “sanity, competence, and courage” returned to CBS News.
The recent exits also include Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer who stepped down in April 2026. Owens said his resignation was tied to concerns about preserving the program’s editorial independence. Shortly after that, Anderson Cooper announced he was leaving 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years on the show. Cooper said his decision was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family.
The departures mark one of the most significant periods of instability in the show’s long history. While 60 Minutes continues to air and remains intact as a brand, the loss of several major correspondents and senior producers has raised questions about how the program will look going forward and whether its editorial identity will remain unchanged.
Even so, the available information indicates that CBS is not canceling 60 Minutes. Instead, the show is undergoing a major internal overhaul that has reshaped its talent lineup and prompted concern among former staff and viewers about the direction of one of television’s most influential news programs.
