Nick Bilton’s 60 Minutes Hiring Triggers Debate Over Top News Role

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 5

11 former colleagues interviewed after Nick Bilton’s appointment as “60 Minutes” executive producer offered sharply split views on whether the broadcast newcomer can run CBS’s flagship news program.
The dispute erupted after his hiring set off an internal meltdown at CBS News, quickly shifting attention from the personnel move itself to Bilton’s lack of traditional broadcast experience.
Those assessments ranged from emphatic support — “Absolutely!” — to outright rejection — “Lord, no!” — underscoring how contested his qualifications are inside and around the newsroom.
The clash puts added scrutiny on leadership at one of America’s historically top-rated network news shows, where credibility and editorial experience carry unusual weight.