CBS News is reportedly close to naming new 60 Minutes correspondents following multiple recent departures from the long-running newsmagazine. The network is evaluating several candidates as it rebuilds the program ahead of the 2026-27 season.
CBS’ 60 Minutes rebuild has Seth Doane and Jim Axelrod as contenders
Seth Doane and Jim Axelrod have emerged as two of the leading internal candidates as CBS News works to rebuild the correspondent lineup for 60 Minutes ahead of the 2026-27 season. According to the Los Angeles Times, the network is close to deciding who will replace Scott Pelley, Sharon Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Anderson Cooper, whose departures left multiple openings on the long-running newsmagazine.
Doane works out of Italy as a longtime CBS News correspondent and frequently contributes to CBS Sunday Morning. Axelrod currently serves as the network’s chief investigative correspondent and leads the Eye on America reports on the CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil.
The report also states that Trevor Phillips, who recently joined CBS News as senior global affairs correspondent, will likely receive a role on 60 Minutes. Before joining the network, Phillips spent years in British broadcasting, producing documentaries, and most recently hosted Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News.
A CBS News spokesperson declined to comment beyond confirming that the network is evaluating both internal and external candidates. The report also says Dokoupil will contribute four stories each season, while chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett will also appear as a contributor. They will join returning correspondents Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim, and Norah O’Donnell.
The changes follow significant upheaval within 60 Minutes after Bari Weiss became CBS News editor in chief last October. CBS fired Pelley last month after he confronted management over the May 28 dismissal of Sharon Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, executive producer Tanya Simon, and deputy executive producer Draggan Mihailovich. Following those exits, Pelley accused Weiss of attempting to “murder” the program. CBS dismissed him with cause after a June 1 meeting.
