Former CBS News Producer Plans Rival Current Affairs Show with Departed Staff

Bill Owens, a former producer of CBS News's '60 Minutes', is reportedly interested in launching a rival current affairs program featuring journalists and production crew members who left the network. This initiative follows internal tensions and staff departures at '60 Minutes' since Bari Weiss became editor-in-chief of CBS's news division last year. Owens is seeking $50 million in funding for the new program, which would include former staff members such as Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega. Sources indicate that a business plan and pitch deck have been prepared for potential streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple TV, and YouTube. However, securing funding and a suitable platform is viewed as critical for the project's success. Weiss's tenure at CBS has been marked by controversy, including the delayed airing of a segment about conditions at a prison in El Salvador, which led to further staff changes. Recent announcements include new presenters joining '60 Minutes', while Pelley and Alfonsi have taken positions as journalists-in-residence at Columbia University.