CBS News’s 60 Minutes suffered a sharp decline in ratings for its season premiere, with the first episode under new leadership drawing roughly 2 million fewer viewers than last year’s debut. The CBS staple drew about 7.94 million viewers for its 59th season premiere Sunday, according to data released by the network. The audience was down more than 20% from the roughly 10 million viewers who tuned in for the previous season’s premiere. The decline came during the first season under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton, who took over the program following a sweeping shake-up this summer. Bilton, a longtime technology journalist, was tapped in May to be the fifth executive producer in the show’s history. Despite the year-over-year drop, CBS emphasized that 60 Minutes remained the week’s No. 1 nonsports primetime program among total viewers and adults aged 18 and older, as well as those aged 25 to 54. It was also the top-rated news program in those categories on Sunday, according to the network’s release. The newsmagazine also pointed to strong digital numbers, saying clips from the premiere generated 116.7 million video views across the program’s social media platforms, and YouTube watch time increased 115%. Sunday’s episode included an interview with a U.S. Air Force weapons system officer who survived after his F-15E was shot down over Iran, a profile of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, and an investigation into people seeking money to facilitate presidential pardons. The premiere followed months of upheaval at the long-running program. Weiss installed Bilton to replace Tanya Simon as part of what was described as a “new approach” intended to expand 60 Minutes beyond its traditional Sunday broadcast. CONGRESS IS WRESTLING WITH AI DEVELOPMENT. HERE ARE FIVE BILLS TO WATCH Longtime correspondent Scott Pelley was fired days later after confronting Bilton during a staff meeting and accusing Weiss of “murdering” the program. Bilton said in Pelley’s termination letter that the veteran correspondent had shown hostility toward the new leadership and was unwilling to work collaboratively. Pelley had been with the show since 2004. Correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega also departed amid the restructuring. Former 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and other network veterans have also publicly raised concerns about the program’s direction and editorial independence.