Print journalist Nick Bilton named executive producer of '60 Minutes'

Following the leave of long-time correspondent Anderson Cooper, CBS has named a new top dog for "60 Minutes."

On Thursday, May 28, CBS announced investigative journalist, author and filmmaker Nick Bilton as an executive producer of the hit program "60 Minutes." Most recently, Bilton was a technology columnist at The New York Times.

"It is an extraordinary honor to lead the next chapter of '60 Minutes,' one of the most important journalism institutions in this nation’s history," Bilton said in a news release. "The mission of the program remains as vital as ever: pursuing the truth, holding power to account and remaining fearless in the face of any external pressure or influence."

CBS News President Tom Cibrowski said in a news release that the network is looking to expand "60 Minutes" beyond an hour on Sunday evenings to bring in new audiences, which he feels confident Bilton will be able to tackle.

"Nick ... will bring his deep investigative experience and understanding of the technological moment we’re in to '60 Minutes' so that its important journalism comes to life for all audiences," CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss added in a news release.

Who is Nick Bilton?

In addition to his work at The New York Times, Bilton has contributed to features and investigative coverage at Vanity Fair. He has also penned books "American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road" and "Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal."

Bilton is also the cohost of the tech podcast "The Nick, Dick and Paul Show," and has directed, written and produced documentaries like "The Inventor," "Fake Famous" and "Biggest Heist Ever."

Personnel changes at '60 Minutes'

Bilton's news comes in tandem with the exit of correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. The TV journalist's contract expired over the weekend after nearly 20 years at CBS News and more than a decade at "60 Minutes," she confirmed with the Los Angeles Times and People.

Alfonsi said her leave was a result of an editorial dispute from December about a story featuring President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Anderson Cooper, who joined "60 Minutes in 2006," bid farewell to the program on May 17 after announcing his departure in February.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, KiMi Robison and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].