According to audience figures released Tuesday, 60 Minutes’ high-profile interview with Patrick Clancy failed to deliver a major ratings boost for the Sunday evening newsmagazine. The broadcast drew an average of 6.77m total viewers, marking the third-smallest audience in the past 25 years for the second episode of a season.
Ratings Drop Follows Rewired Season Debut
The sluggish viewership follows a disappointing season premiere under Bari Weiss, who, as CBS editor-in-chief, rewired the show by firing several high-profile correspondents. The 59th season opened on September 13 with 7.94 million viewers, a sharp decline from the 10 million viewers who tuned into the 58th season debut, according to network data.
While CBS News touted the premiere as the most-watched non-sports program of the week, the debut rating stood as the lowest-rated season start for the program in the 21st century. Network officials expressed satisfaction with the content, stating they were proud of the exceptional journalism on display.
Patrick Clancy Interview Fails to Capture Expected Audience
The September 20 episode barely outperformed last season’s second installment, which drew 6.45 million viewers. The broadcast lacked an NFL football lead-in across all markets, potentially dampening initial tune-in numbers.
Despite the lack of a ratings surge, the episode featured significant reporting. New correspondent Ross Douthat sat down with Patrick Clancy, who detailed the killings of his children and the subsequent aftermath. The segment also included a brief interview with Clancy’s new wife, fertility doctor Rachel Danis. According to sources, Bari Weiss attended the interview in a nod to its cultural and editorial importance.
Did You Know?
While linear television ratings saw a dip, the September 20 episode generated 179.2m social views, surpassing the previous week’s record of 116.7m views, according to network metrics.
Diverse Segment Lineup Generates Record Social Engagement
Alongside the Douthat interview, the broadcast included a timely segment on growing pushback against datacenters, reported by Norah O’Donnell. Longtime sports-focused correspondent Jon Wertheim also contributed a investigative piece regarding Shergar, an Irish racehorse kidnapped during the 1980s.
Although Douthat’s interview with Clancy garnered generally favorable reviews from critics, it failed to draw the massive linear audience that network executives anticipated. The season premiere similarly relied on a blockbuster interview, featuring one of the American fighter pilots shot down over Iran in April.
The Guardian has reached out to CBS News for additional comment regarding the Sunday night ratings performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many viewers did the 60 Minutes episode with Patrick Clancy draw?
According to audience figures released Tuesday, the episode drew an average of 6.77m total viewers.
Who conducted the interview with Patrick Clancy?
New 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat conducted the sit-down interview with Patrick Clancy.
Did the episode see any positive performance metrics?
Yes, according to network data, the episode brought in 179.2m social views, beating the previous week’s record of 116.7m views.
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