’60 Minutes’ Producer Bill Owens Resigns Over Lack of Independence

Longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens is resigning. In an email to staff, Owens cited an inability “to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes.”

“Over the past months, it has…become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,” Owens wrote. “To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”

The decision from Owens sent shockwaves throughout CBS News, a source tells The Hollywood Reporter. In a memo of her own, CBS News, stations and media ventures CEO Wendy McMahon wrote that she is “committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already begun conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and those will continue in the days and weeks ahead.”

“On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career,” she added. “Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me.”

The source says that they believed other resignations at the show could follow, depending on what caused Owens to resign. Paramount has been in settlement talks with President Trump over a lawsuit filed over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of last year’s election.

Owens is only the third executive producer in the history of the venerable CBS newsmagazine, having taken over the program in 2019. Last year he also added oversight of CBS Evening News, which CBS chose to reboot in the style of 60 Minutes.

“60 Minutes as a brand, its importance to viewers across platforms is immeasurable, and the strength of its distinctive, obviously memorable approach every Sunday night is without comparison,” McMahon told THR of the reboot at the time.

60 Minutes has been the flagship of CBS News almost since it aired its first episode in 1968. The program is the most-watched news program in the U.S., and its interviews and investigations often set the news cycle.

It has also historically operated with a degree of independence from the rest of CBS, with its own stable of producers and correspondents, and an office and studio located outside of the CBS Broadcast Center on the west side of Manhattan.

The extent to which that independence is being impeded could determine what happens next.

Here is Owens’ email in full:

The fact is that 60 Minutes has been 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 Minutes priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear.

Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.

The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer. Please remember, people didn’t think we would survive without Mike or Ed or Don or Jeff. We did. You will.

60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. We will report from War zones, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, 60 Minutes will do what it has done for 57 years.

Wendy McMahon has always had our back, and she agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute(s) producer. Tanya has been an amazing partner, as have Claudia and Debbie, Matt Richman and Matt Polevoy. I am grateful to all of them.

Look, I have worked at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of that at 60 Minutes, I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source. I have overseen more than 600 stories as Executive Producer of 60. I know who I am and what I have done to cover the most important stories of our time under difficult conditions. I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents and to call Lesley, Bill, Anderson, Sharyn, Jon, Cecilia and Scott friends. Scott one of my closest.

Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it.

Here is McMahon’s memo:

Hi everyone,

After 37 years, Bill Owens is ending his illustrious career at CBS News, 24 of those years at America’s most important news program, 60 Minutes. His note to the team is below.

As Executive Producer, Bill has led 60 Minutes with unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth. He has championed the kind of journalism that informs, enlightens, and often changes the national conversation.

His dedication to finding and nurturing talent will be felt across CBS News for years. Bill will be with us in the weeks ahead so there will be time and opportunity to thank 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 to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already begun conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and those will continue in the days and weeks ahead.

On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career. Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me.

Wendy