Anderson Cooper signed off from 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years as a correspondent, with his final episode airing on Sunday, May 17 . The departure comes as the iconic CBS newsmagazine undergoes a major transformation under new executive producer Nick Bilton, the first hire from outside traditional television news in the show's 57-year history,as parent company Paramount Skydance pushes for digital renewal to counter a decades-long ratings decline.

Nick Bilton: The first outsider to lead 60 Minutes in 57 years

Bilton, 49, is only the fifth executive producer in the program's history, according to the source report. His appointment marks a deliberate break from tradition: all previous EPs came from within the 60 Minutes or CBS News ranks. Bilton's background is in digital media and technology journalism, most recently as a columnist at The New York Times and a special correspondent for CNBC.. CBS News President Wendy Weiss and outgoing executive producer Bill Owens have praised Bilton as embodying the founders' energy and ambition, the report says.

The choice signals that Paramount Skydance, which acquired CBS in August, is serious about overhauling a show that once defined Sunday-night broadcast journalism but now faces an aging audience and declining ad revenue.

Why 9.7 million viewers and a 20% ratings drop sparked a digital overhaul

Despite still being one of the top broadcast shows last season with an average of 9.7 million viewers, 60 Minutes has seen ratings fall more than 20% over the past decade, per the source. That erosion mirrors broader trends in linear television, where younger viewers have migrated to streaming platforms. Under the new strategy, the newsroom is being restructured to produce a "360-degree product" that launches stories on digital platforms before they reach the television broadcast — a reversal of the traditional pipeline.

The move echoes similar digital-first pivots at other long-running news programs, such as ABC's 20/20 and NBC's Meet the Press, which have invested in podcasts, YouTube channels, and short-form clips. Yet 60 Minutes faces the added challenge of preserving its signature long-form investigative reporting while adapting to snackable digital formats.

Anderson Cooper's parting wish: 'remains 60 Minutes'

In his final sign-off, Cooper expressed hope that the program "remains 60 Minutes," as quoted in the source. The 58-year-old journalist, who joined the show in 2006, did not specify his next move but leaves at a moment of flux for CBS News. His comment reflects a cautious optimism shared by some longtime viewers: can the show modernize without losing its journalistic soul?

Cooper's departure also underscores a generational shift at the network. With the exits of veterans like Cooper and the recent promotion of Bilton, CBS News under Wendy Weiss is betting heavily on a younger, digitally native leadership to reverse the ratings slide.

Paramount Skydance's ideological promise and the new newsroom strategy

Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison , installed as CBS's parent company in August and appointed Weiss in October.. The ownership group had promised to reflect varied ideological perspectives, according to the source. Whether Bilton's digital-first approach will also embrace that promise is an open question — the report offers no details on how ideological diversity will be measured or implemented in the new content pipeline.

The restructuring involves initiating coverage on digital platforms before it reaches television, a method that could favor faster, more sensational stories over the in-depth investigations that built 60 Minutes' reputation. What remains unknown is how the show will balance speed with depth, and whether the new leadership can stem the ratings decline without diluting the brand.