60 Minutes is an American prime-time television news magazine program broadcast on the CBS television network, known for its investigative journalism and in-depth reporting on major stories, including interviews with prominent figures such as political leaders. Launched in 1968 and founded by producer Don Hewitt, the show debuted with correspondents like Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner, Morley Safer, and Diane Sawyer. Each episode typically features three 20-minute segments, often narrated by veteran correspondents, and has earned a reputation for uncovering scandals, providing context to complex stories, and delivering hard-hitting reports on current events, politics, business, science, and social issues. The program has been hosted by a rotating team of journalists, including current correspondents such as Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, and Bill Whitaker.

It has covered landmark stories including Watergate, the Vietnam War, corporate corruption (e.g., the tobacco industry exposé), and political controversies, often sparking public debate and policy changes. The program has won 25 Peabody Awards and over 100 Emmy Awards, making it one of the most acclaimed shows in broadcast history. Produced by CBS News, it operates under the umbrella of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) and has maintained its influential status through decades of changes in media landscapes, adapting to include digital extensions while preserving its traditional format. Its influence extends globally through syndication and online platforms, shaping public discourse on issues of power, accountability, and ethics.

60 Minutes has faced criticisms and controversies, including accusations of sensationalism, factual errors leading to retractions (such as the 2013 Benghazi report), and lawsuits from subjects like Jeffrey Wigand in the 1990s tobacco whistleblower case, which was settled out of court. Despite these, it remains a benchmark for television journalism, with a focus on objective reporting though not without ideological critiques from various political spectrums.