Ross Douthat, a conservative columnist for The New York Times, will join CBS News' '60 Minutes' as a correspondent, effective Sept. 1. The move places one of the nation's most widely read political commentators on broadcast television's premier news magazine.
For CBS News, part of Paramount Global, the hiring signals an effort to broaden the program's appeal and inject a distinct intellectual perspective into its long-form journalism. '60 Minutes' averages 8 million to 10 million viewers weekly during its prime Sunday slot—far exceeding the typical reach of a print column.
The financial terms of Douthat's new role were not disclosed, but a correspondent position at '60 Minutes' ranks among the most prestigious and well-compensated in broadcast journalism.
The New York Times loses a columnist who spent more than 15 years challenging conventional wisdom on its opinion pages. The paper will need to fill a slot that has been a fixture of its editorial mix.
As a '60 Minutes' correspondent, Douthat will conduct interviews and report segments—a shift from opinion writing to narrative journalism that will bring his analysis to a wider and less politically engaged audience than his prior readership.
Some media critics say the move reflects CBS's interest in attracting viewers who feel underrepresented by mainstream network news. The addition of a figure known for his conservative leanings could also prompt questions about the program's editorial direction, traditionally defined by hard-hitting investigations and profiles.
