60 Minutes is the premier American television news magazine, a cornerstone of the CBS television network since its debut on September 24, 1968. For over five decades, it has remained the most successful program in the history of broadcast journalism, consistently ranking at the top of the Nielsen ratings and earning more Emmy Awards than any other primetime broadcast. Created by Don Hewitt and Bill Leonard, the show pioneered a unique style of investigative reporting that blended hard-hitting journalism with the narrative techniques of a magazine, forever altering how news is consumed in the United States and across the globe.

The program is most recognizable by its iconic ticking stopwatch, a visual and auditory signature that signals the start of sixty minutes of in-depth storytelling. Unlike standard nightly news broadcasts that cover a dozen headlines in half an hour, 60 Minutes focuses on three long-form segments per episode, allowing for a level of detail, scrutiny, and character development that is rare in modern media.

The Vision of Don Hewitt and the Birth of the News Magazine

Before 1968, television news was largely seen as a public service—a necessary but often dry recitation of the day’s events. Don Hewitt, a former producer for the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, envisioned something different. He believed that the key to engaging an audience with serious topics was to "tell them a story."

Hewitt’s concept for 60 Minutes was to apply the structural logic of a print magazine to the medium of film. Each "issue" would feature a mix of investigative reports, personality profiles, and human-interest stories. By focusing on individuals at the heart of larger issues—be it a whistleblower in a major corporation or a world leader in a moment of crisis—the show made complex geopolitical and social problems relatable to a mass audience.

The original broadcast featured Mike Wallace and Harry Reasoner as the primary hosts. The contrast between Wallace’s aggressive, "interrogatory" style and Reasoner’s more relaxed, wry delivery set a precedent for the diversity of voices that would characterize the show’s correspondent roster for years to come.

What makes the 60 Minutes format unique?

The endurance of 60 Minutes is largely attributed to its rigid adherence to a specific aesthetic and structural format. While other news programs have modernized with flashy graphics, virtual sets, and high-energy music, 60 Minutes remains strikingly traditional.

The Iconic Ticking Stopwatch

The most famous element of the show is the Heuer stopwatch that appears at the beginning of the broadcast and during transitions between segments. It symbolizes the urgency and precision of the reporting. Interestingly, the stopwatch did not appear in the very first episode but was introduced shortly thereafter, becoming one of the most effective branding tools in television history.

The Black Background and Magazine Motif

The studio set is intentionally minimalist. Correspondents introduce their segments in front of a simple black background, often accompanied by a "magazine cover" graphic created via chroma key. This design ensures that the focus remains entirely on the journalist and the information being presented. The show also utilizes the Eurostile typeface for its titles, a font that has become synonymous with the program's authoritative voice.

Segment Structure

A standard episode of 60 Minutes is divided into three distinct segments, each roughly 12 to 14 minutes long. This duration is long enough to provide deep context but short enough to maintain viewer attention. Historically, the program also featured a "Point-Counterpoint" segment and the observational commentaries of Andy Rooney, whose humorous musings on the minutiae of daily life became a Sunday night staple for over 30 years.

Who are the current correspondents of 60 Minutes?

The correspondents are the primary faces of 60 Minutes. They are not merely anchors; they are active investigators who spend weeks or months on a single story. The current roster of correspondents and contributors represents some of the most respected names in journalism:

  • Lesley Stahl: A veteran of the show since 1991, known for her sharp interviewing skills and deep expertise in national politics and international relations.
  • Scott Pelley: The former anchor of the CBS Evening News, Pelley brings a serious, measured approach to investigative pieces and major world events.
  • Bill Whitaker: Known for his versatility, Whitaker has covered everything from the refugee crisis to the inner workings of the international art market.
  • Anderson Cooper: A contributor who balances his work on CNN with deep-dive profiles for 60 Minutes.
  • Sharyn Alfonsi: A correspondent noted for her investigative work on corporate ethics and social issues.
  • Jon Wertheim: Often focuses on the intersection of culture, sports, and human behavior.
  • Cecilia Vega: A recent addition to the full-time team, bringing a background in White House reporting.
  • Norah O'Donnell: A regular contributor who often handles high-profile interviews with government officials and world leaders.

The executive leadership of the program is currently headed by Executive Producer Tanya Simon, who took the helm in 2025, following in the footsteps of legendary predecessors like Bill Owens, Jeff Fager, and the founder, Don Hewitt.

When does 60 Minutes air on CBS?

For most of its history, 60 Minutes has occupied the same time slot: Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT). This scheduling is a critical component of its success, as it captures a massive "bridge" audience between afternoon sports and evening entertainment programming.

However, viewers should be aware of a common scheduling quirk. During the autumn and winter months, when the CBS network broadcasts NFL football games, the start time for 60 Minutes is frequently delayed. If a game runs past 7:00 p.m. ET, the program typically begins at 7:30 p.m. ET or immediately following the conclusion of the sports broadcast. This "NFL lead-in" often boosts the show's ratings, as millions of sports fans remain tuned in to the network.

The Impact of Investigative Journalism and Notable Reports

The reputation of 60 Minutes is built on "gotcha journalism"—the practice of surprising subjects with evidence of their wrongdoing. The show’s producers and camera crews pioneered techniques like hidden cameras and the "doorstep interview," where a reporter confronts a subject at their home or office when they have refused to provide an official interview.

Over the decades, the show has broken some of the biggest stories in American history. These include:

  • Corporate Accountability: Investigations into the tobacco industry, specifically the whistleblowing of Jeffrey Wigand, which revealed that companies were aware of the addictive nature of nicotine. This story was later dramatized in the film The Insider.
  • Military and Foreign Policy: Hard-hitting reports on the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and more recently, the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.
  • Science and Innovation: Recent episodes have explored the ethical implications of CRISPR gene editing, the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through platforms like Character.AI, and the challenges of the global polio vaccination effort.
  • Cultural Profiles: The show has interviewed nearly every U.S. President since Richard Nixon, as well as global icons such as Margaret Atwood, Vladimir Putin, and Lamine Yamal.

How to watch 60 Minutes online and on streaming

In response to the shifting media landscape, CBS has expanded the accessibility of 60 Minutes beyond traditional broadcast television.

  1. Paramount+: Current episodes and a vast archive of past reports are available for streaming on Paramount+. This allows viewers to watch segments on-demand.
  2. 60 Minutes Overtime: This is a digital-only companion series that provides "behind-the-scenes" looks at how stories were reported. It features interviews with producers and correspondents discussing the challenges of filming and the details that didn't make it into the final broadcast.
  3. The 60 Minutes FAST Channel: A dedicated streaming channel that airs classic segments and curated marathons 24/7, available on various free ad-supported streaming television platforms.
  4. Podcasts: The audio from each episode is released as a podcast, catering to the growing audience of listeners who consume news while commuting or exercising.

Recognition, Awards, and Journalistic Standing

The statistics regarding the success of 60 Minutes are unprecedented in the television industry. According to Nielsen ratings, the program has finished in the annual Top 10 list for 25 seasons—a record no other show has approached. It has marked over 50 consecutive years as the number one news program in America.

The program's trophy cabinet includes:

  • Over 160 Emmy Awards (more than any other primetime show).
  • 25 Peabody Awards for excellence in television broadcasting.
  • Numerous DuPont-Columbia awards.

While it is often ranked as one of the greatest television shows of all time by publications like TV Guide and Variety, 60 Minutes has not been without controversy. Over its 57-season run, it has faced lawsuits and public criticism regarding specific reports, such as the Benghazi report in 2013 or the Audi unintended acceleration story in the 1980s. However, the program's commitment to rigorous vetting and its willingness to issue corrections when necessary have helped it maintain a high degree of public trust.

Summary of the 60 Minutes Legacy

The enduring appeal of 60 Minutes lies in its simplicity and its commitment to quality. In an era of "fake news," social media soundbites, and 24-hour opinion cycles, 60 Minutes remains a bastion of traditional journalism. It proves that there is still a massive audience for long-form, fact-based storytelling. By combining the authority of the CBS News brand with the narrative drive of a well-crafted documentary, it continues to be the primary source of information for millions of Americans every Sunday night.

FAQ

Who created 60 Minutes? The program was created by Don Hewitt and Bill Leonard. Don Hewitt served as the executive producer from its inception in 1968 until 2004.

What time does 60 Minutes start? The standard start time is 7:00 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday. On the East Coast, it is often delayed to 7:30 p.m. or later during the NFL season.

Where can I find transcripts of 60 Minutes segments? Transcripts and DVDs of specific segments can be ordered through CBS News archives or by calling their dedicated service line. Many current segment summaries are also available on the CBS News website.

Is 60 Minutes available in other countries? Yes, the 60 Minutes format has been licensed internationally. There are prominent versions of the show in Australia (60 Minutes Australia) and New Zealand, as well as various other international adaptations that follow the same investigative magazine style.

Who is the executive producer of 60 Minutes now? As of 2025, the executive producer is Tanya Simon, who oversees the editorial direction and production of the series.