Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS’s 60 Minutes, announces his resignation, marking the end of a significant era for the iconic news magazine program. Owens, who has spent more than two decades at CBS News, including leading 60 Minutes through a period of considerable transition and growth, officially steps down amid tributes from colleagues praising his leadership, editorial judgment, and deep commitment to investigative journalism.
Owens, who took the helm as executive producer in 2019, steers 60 Minutes through one of the most competitive and turbulent eras in television news. Under his leadership, the program consistently ranks as one of the top-rated news shows in America, maintaining its legacy of impactful storytelling while adapting to a rapidly evolving digital media environment. Owens’s tenure is marked by major exclusive interviews, groundbreaking investigations, and an expansion of 60 Minutes’ digital and streaming presence.
In announcing his departure, Owens says he is proud of what the team has accomplished and expresses gratitude to the journalists, producers, and staff who, he says, make 60 Minutes “the gold standard” in television journalism. He does not cite a specific reason for stepping down but hints at a desire to explore new opportunities and challenges beyond the network.
The resignation comes at a pivotal time for CBS News, which is undergoing broader restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining operations across its broadcast and streaming platforms. While there is no immediate successor named, CBS News executives assure viewers and stakeholders that 60 Minutes will continue its mission of delivering high-quality investigative journalism, even as it enters a new chapter.
Back history shows that Owens’s career with CBS News spans more than 20 years, during which he rises through the ranks from producer to senior leadership. He joins 60 Minutes early in his career and later plays a critical role in producing some of the program’s most memorable stories, ranging from political interviews to international investigations. Before becoming executive producer, Owens serves as executive editor of CBS Evening News, where he helps revamp the broadcast’s format and news priorities.
Throughout his time at CBS, Owens earns a reputation for editorial rigor, attention to detail, and an ability to navigate the delicate balance between journalistic integrity and the evolving demands of television audiences. Colleagues describe him as a “producer’s producer” — someone deeply respected inside the newsroom for both his storytelling instincts and his management skills.
Industry analysts note that Owens’s departure signals the end of an era for 60 Minutes, but they also suggest it opens the door for new leadership to continue innovating as traditional television news faces unprecedented competition from digital platforms, streaming services, and changing viewer habits.
As the network looks ahead, CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews thanks Owens for his extraordinary service, stating that his impact on 60 Minutes and CBS News will be felt for years to come. Tributes pour in from current and former colleagues, emphasizing Owens’s steady leadership, his mentorship of younger journalists, and his dedication to the values that made 60 Minutes a powerhouse in American journalism.
For viewers and media insiders alike, Bill Owens’s resignation marks not just a personnel change but a moment of reflection on the future of investigative journalism at a time when trusted news sources are more critical — and more challenged — than ever.
