A major editorial move is underway as Ross Douthat leaves The New York Times to become a correspondent for ‘60 Minutes.’ The CBS News program’s 59th season will feature several new faces, including Douthat, starting September 13, 2026.
Media professionals tracking talent shifts in major newsrooms will note a significant change: Ross Douthat, a longtime opinion columnist at The New York Times, is set to join ‘60 Minutes’ as a correspondent. The move, confirmed by the show’s executive producer in a staff memo, positions Douthat among several new additions for the CBS News program’s 59th season, which launches September 13, 2026.
Douthat’s transition comes as ‘60 Minutes’ expands its roster with a mix of established and emerging journalists. Sebastian Junger, known for his writing and documentary work, and Gianna Toboni, previously a correspondent at Vice News, will join as contributors. Trevor Phillips, a British journalist who recently started at CBS, is also part of the new lineup. In addition, Norah O’Donnell, the former anchor of ‘CBS Evening News,’ will take on a correspondent role for the upcoming season.
This round of appointments signals CBS News’s ongoing investment in high-profile editorial talent and cross-platform contributors. The inclusion of figures like Douthat and O’Donnell reflects a strategy to blend opinion, investigative reporting, and on-air experience, aiming to sustain the program’s reputation for in-depth journalism. The new season’s launch date and contributor list were communicated internally to staff, underscoring the network’s focus on editorial renewal.
Such newsroom changes often influence broader industry dynamics, as seen when The Knowledge shifted to a newsletter-only model and rapidly grew its subscriber base, a move detailed in this report on The Knowledge’s profitability strategy. High-profile talent moves and editorial restructuring remain closely watched by publishers and content leaders seeking to adapt to evolving audience demands and platform strategies.
