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CBS's long-running news program 60 Minutes experienced an 18 percent drop in viewership for its second week, attracting only 6.5 million total viewers compared to about 7.94 million in the season premiere. This decline is particularly sharp among the key demographic aged 25-54, with a 30 percent decrease from previous numbers. The ratings dip follows recent changes at CBS News, including the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief and significant personnel shifts within 60 Minutes, leading to viewer skepticism about the show's direction.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
CBS's "60 Minutes" saw a significant drop in viewership for its second episode, attracting only 6.5 million total viewers, marking an 18% decrease from the first episode’s 7.94 million viewers. This decline is part of broader challenges following Bari Weiss' overhaul as CBS News Editor-in-Chief, which included firing veteran correspondents like Scott Pelley and Cecilia Vega. The recent drop also affected the key 25-54 demographic, with only 1.1 million viewers compared to previous numbers, representing a 30% decline. Despite promotional efforts for an interview with Patrick Clancy, the episode barely outperformed last year’s second show in terms of ratings. These changes follow David Ellison's acquisition of Paramount, CBS News' parent company, and his appointment of Weiss, leading to restructuring that has so far failed to boost the program’s popularity.
Written for “60 Minutes Ratings Decline” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss’ overhaul of 60 Minutes continues to face challenges as the revamped show saw a big drop in viewers for its second week.
asserted
show → continue → week
The revered news program had 6.5 million total viewers Sunday, an 18 percent drop from the first episode of the season, which had about 7.94 million viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers, cited by the Daily Beast.
uncertain
which → have → Beast
Of those viewers, only 1.1 million were in the key 25-54 demographic, marking a 30 percent drop-off from the season premiere.
asserted
million → mark → premiere
The most recent episode, which featured a heavily promoted interview with Patrick Clancy, reportedly performed slightly better than last season’s second episode however.
uncertain
which → feature → episode
The Independent has reached out to Nielsen and CBS News for comment.
asserted
Independent → reach → comment
The show’s fall in ratings follows a tumultuous few months at CBS News, after billionaire David Ellison acquired Paramount — CBS News’s parent company — and appointed Weiss, a conservative columnist, as editor-in-chief last October.
asserted
Ellison → follow → chief
After taking the job, Weiss promptly ousted several veteran 60 Minutes correspondents, including Scott Pelley and Cecilia Vega.
asserted
Weiss → take → Pelley
Another, Sharyn Alfonsi, left after her contract expired.
asserted
contract → leave → ?
Weiss, who came into the role with no prior broadcast experience, has also been accused by critics of dictating that the network’s news coverage be more favorable toward the Trump administration and Israel, claims that she has denied.
uncertain
she → come → that
In July, CBS News announced a slate of new hires to fill the vacancies created by those departures.
asserted
News → announce → departures
“An exceptional lineup of journalists will be joining 60 Minutes, carrying on its tradition of fearless, independent and impartial reporting,” Nick Bilton, the show’s new executive producer, wrote in a July 28 memo shared on X. “I can't wait for them to get started.”
asserted
them → join → X.
The appointments included Ross Douthat, a conservative New York Times opinion columnist and podcaster, and Norah O’Donnell, a CBS News senior correspondent.
asserted
appointments → include → Douthat
For Sunday’s episode, Clancy was interviewed by Douthat, while O’Donnell reported on tensions in Texas over the creation of AI data centers.
asserted
O’Donnell → interview → centers
Ahead of the premiere, Weiss was reportedly given a “blank check” to promote the revamped program, according to Puck News.
uncertain
Weiss → give → News
“Sources familiar with the plans say that CBS will blanket the airwaves and major markets with a multipronged, cross-platform campaign to emphasize the show’s new look and feel and commitment to its 60-year legacy,” the outlet reported in August.
asserted
outlet → say → August
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