CBS News veteran journalist Scott Pelley has reportedly departed the network following months of reported tensions between him and company leadership. The development comes shortly after a staff meeting at the Manhattan headquarters of “60 Minutes,” where employees were introduced to newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton amid a broader restructuring effort at the news program.
During the meeting, Pelley reportedly voiced concerns about recent personnel changes, including the departures of executive producer Tanya Simon, her deputy, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. According to reports, he questioned management decisions and raised concerns about the direction of the long-running news magazine. Witnesses described the exchange as emotional, and several reports indicated that staff members applauded his remarks.
The reported disagreement comes as CBS News undergoes significant changes following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount in 2025. As part of the company’s efforts to expand the “60 Minutes” brand and adapt to changing media trends, Bilton, a technology journalist and filmmaker, was brought in to lead the program despite having no traditional television news management background.
According to media reports, Pelley later met with network executives before CBS decided to end his employment. While no detailed public explanation was immediately provided, the move concludes a distinguished career spanning more than three decades at CBS News. Pelley joined the network in 1989, became a “60 Minutes” correspondent in 2004, and served as anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” from 2011 to 2017.