'60 Minutes' Ratings Study Shows the Problem for Bari Weiss, CBS News
Business Insider • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The "60 Minutes" season premiere under new producer Nick Bilton, chosen by CBS News top editor Bari Weiss, saw a 20% drop in viewership compared to last year's debut, with under 8 million viewers versus over 10 million.
- Nielsen data indicates the decline was due to fewer people tuning in initially rather than viewers abandoning the show mid-episode, as audience retention rates were similar to the previous season's premiere.
- Significant changes at "60 Minutes," including new graphics and the departure of four correspondents amid controversy and accusations of political bias against Weiss, may have discouraged viewers from watching.
- The NFL lead-in, which typically boosts "60 Minutes" ratings, was weaker this year due to a less popular game compared to last season, contributing to the lower premiere viewership.
- Despite lower TV ratings, CBS reported that online and social media engagement with "60 Minutes" clips tripled compared to last year's premiere, with future episodes expected to reveal whether the show can regain its audience.
