Image Credit: CBS News
For an extended period, “60 Minutes” has stood as one of television’s most esteemed news programs. Notable figures associated with it include CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who concluded his nearly two-decade tenure with the CBS newsmagazine in May 2026. Cooper’s departure, attributed by him to a desire for more family time, occurred during a period of considerable upheaval within CBS News.
In the subsequent months, the program has been significantly impacted by a series of high-profile exits and dismissals. This includes veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, reporters Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, along with numerous senior producers and executives. Former “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft has vocally condemned these changes, labeling them “disastrous” and accusing CBS of “journalistic interference.” He has also expressed that “60 Minutes,” as viewers have come to know it, “no longer exists.” Kroft further contended that the program’s turmoil seems illogical, particularly given its sustained success in viewership.
Below, you can find information regarding whether “60 Minutes” is facing cancellation and details about those who have recently departed the show.
Is ‘60 Minutes’ Being Canceled?
No, “60 Minutes” is not being canceled. CBS has not indicated any plans to discontinue the iconic newsmagazine, which is slated to continue into its 59th season. Nevertheless, concerns about the program’s future have escalated following a series of dismissals, departures, and changes in leadership under CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
Sharyn Alfonsi, Correspondent, 60 MINUTES. Photo: Michele Crowe/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Who Was Fired From ‘60 Minutes’?
Several distinguished individuals associated with “60 Minutes” have been dismissed in recent weeks. The reshuffling commenced with the termination of executive producer Tanya Simon, followed by the dismissals of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. On June 2, 2026, long-serving correspondent Scott Pelley was also let go after publicly criticizing Weiss and questioning the credentials of the newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton during a staff assembly. Pelley had been a part of CBS News since 1989 and was one of the most recognizable figures on the program.
CECILIA VEGA, Correspondent, 60 MINUTES. Cecilia Vega is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and 60 MINUTES correspondent who joined the CBS newsmagazine in 2023. Photos: Michele Crowe/CBS News©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
“When the stewardship of the program transitioned to my colleagues and me, our charge was to energetically advance into a new era of media technology while upholding the principles our audience anticipates,” Pelley stated. “Currently, the new proprietor of our network is discarding this legacy, apparently to gain temporary favor with the Trump administration. The waste is profoundly disheartening.”
He further commented, “I depart after 37 years at CBS with a singular sentiment—a heart overflowing with gratitude for the individuals at CBS News who fostered and elevated my work, frequently at considerable personal risk. I hold onto the hope for a future where those individuals and their values are once again recognized—a time when sound judgment, proficiency, and bravery return.”
Pictured: Anderson Cooper, 60 MINUTES Correspondent. Photo: Michele Crowe/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Who Has Left ‘60 Minutes’ Recently?
“60 Minutes” has witnessed a significant number of departures throughout 2026. Longtime executive producer Bill Owens resigned in April, citing apprehensions about preserving the program’s editorial autonomy. Not long after, Cooper announced his exit from the show after close to two decades, explaining his decision was driven by a desire to allocate more time to his family.