You're sitting on the couch, it’s Sunday evening, and that ticking sound starts. It’s iconic. It’s legendary. But sometimes, in the mess of a hundred different streaming apps and cable bundles, you find yourself asking about 60 Minutes what network actually airs the show these days.
The answer is simple, yet the way we watch it has changed a lot.
Since its very first broadcast on September 24, 1968, 60 Minutes has lived on CBS. It is the crown jewel of CBS News. Don Hewitt, the show's creator, basically invented the television news magazine format right there at the "Eye" network. He wanted to make news as compelling as a Hollywood movie. He succeeded. For over five decades, it hasn't moved. If you have an antenna, a cable box, or a satellite dish, you’ll find it on your local CBS affiliate. Usually, it’s at 7:00 PM Eastern Time, but sports—especially NFL football—tends to mess with that schedule more often than not.
Why CBS and 60 Minutes are Inseparable
It’s hard to imagine the show anywhere else. 60 Minutes is essentially the heartbeat of the CBS Sunday night lineup. It’s the lead-in that helps the network dominate the night.
Why does the network matter so much here? Because CBS invests a massive amount of resources into this single hour. While other networks have tried to copy the formula—think 20/20 on ABC or Dateline on NBC—none have maintained the same level of prestige. The "Stopwatch" is synonymous with CBS. When people ask 60 Minutes what network, they are often looking for more than just a channel number; they are looking for where that specific brand of high-stakes, long-form journalism lives.
The show has outlasted legendary anchors like Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. It survived the transition from black-and-white to color, and then to HD. It is, quite literally, a structural pillar of the network's identity.
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Streaming 60 Minutes: Beyond Traditional TV
Honestly, most people aren't just clicking a remote anymore. You've got options. If you are trying to figure out 60 Minutes what network is hosting the digital archives, the answer is Paramount+.
Since CBS is owned by Paramount Global, their streaming service is the exclusive home for the show.
- Live Streaming: If you have a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription, you can stream your local CBS station live. This means you can watch the ticking clock in real-time on your laptop or phone.
- On-Demand: New episodes usually drop on the app shortly after they air on the East Coast.
- The Vault: This is where it gets cool. Paramount+ hosts a massive backlog of classic segments. You can go back and watch Mike Wallace grill world leaders or see Ed Bradley’s coolest interviews.
You can also find segments on the CBS News app, which is generally free and supported by ads. They don't always have the full hour in one neat package there, but the individual stories are usually uploaded pretty quickly. YouTube is another big one. The official 60 Minutes YouTube channel is surprisingly robust. They post "Overtime" segments—behind-the-scenes looks at how the stories were reported—which you won't always see on the main CBS broadcast.
The "NFL Factor" and Your Sunday Schedule
We have to talk about the football problem.
If you're searching for 60 Minutes what network on a Sunday in November, you might be frustrated because a Raiders-Chiefs game is running long. CBS is a major NFL broadcaster. When those late-afternoon games go into overtime, 60 Minutes gets pushed back. In some markets, it might start at 7:30 PM or even 8:00 PM.
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The network usually announces these delays on social media or via a crawl at the bottom of the screen during the game. It’s annoying. We all get it. But it's the price of being on a major broadcast network that also carries the most popular sport in America.
Who Are the Faces You'll See on CBS?
The "network" isn't just a corporate entity; it's the correspondents. Currently, the roster is a powerhouse of journalism. You’ve got Lesley Stahl, who has been there since 1991. She’s seen it all. Then there’s Scott Pelley, the former evening news anchor who brings a certain gravitas to every investigation.
Bill Whitaker often handles the big international pieces, while Anderson Cooper (who pulls double duty with CNN) brings his specific style to the show as a frequent contributor. We also see Cecilia Vega, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Jon Wertheim handling everything from political scandals to sports deep-dives.
This rotation is part of the secret sauce. Because it’s on CBS, these reporters have the backing of a massive news division. They aren't just "content creators." They are investigative journalists who sometimes spend six months on a single 12-minute story.
Is it Still Relevant in the Age of TikTok?
Some people think the "news magazine" is a dying breed. They’re wrong.
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Even though we live in a world of 15-second clips, 60 Minutes pulls in millions of viewers every single week. It consistently ranks in the Top 10 of all Nielsen-rated programs. Why? Because people still crave depth. When a major event happens—like a global pandemic or a massive financial collapse—people turn to the network they trust to explain it without the fluff.
The show doesn't do "hot takes." It does reporting. That’s a rare commodity.
How to Make Sure You Never Miss an Episode
If you're tired of wondering 60 Minutes what network or what time it starts, here is the best way to stay updated:
- Follow the Stopwatch on X (Twitter): They are very good about posting "Start Time" alerts on Sundays when football runs late.
- Set a Series Recording: If you have a DVR, set it to record "60 Minutes" but—pro tip—set it to record for an extra hour. This accounts for those sports delays.
- Check the CBS News Website: They usually post the lineup for the upcoming Sunday by Friday afternoon. You’ll know exactly what stories are coming.
- Use the Paramount+ App: If you miss the broadcast, just wait until Monday morning. The full episode will be there, commercial-free if you have the right tier.
The Global Reach of the CBS Brand
It’s worth noting that while we’ve been talking about the U.S. network, 60 Minutes is a global phenomenon. There are Australian and Irish versions, but they are separate entities. The original American version on CBS is syndicated to over 200 countries.
When you see that ticking clock, you're joining a global audience. Whether you're watching on a 75-inch OLED or a cracked smartphone screen, the network remains the same. CBS has held onto this property tighter than almost anything else in their portfolio, and for good reason. It is the gold standard.
To stay ahead of the schedule, especially during the hectic winter months, keep an eye on your local CBS affiliate's social media pages. They are the first to know when the schedule shifts. If you're a cord-cutter, ensuring your Paramount+ login is active before Sunday night is the smartest move you can make to avoid the "where do I watch this?" scramble at 7:01 PM. Be sure to check the "60 Minutes Overtime" digital features as well; they often contain the most interesting context that didn't make the final broadcast cut due to time constraints.