CBS News is pushing back against reports that podcast giant Joe Rogan could be headed to one of television’s most prestigious news programs.
The network has denied speculation that Rogan is being considered to join “60 Minutes” following longtime correspondent Anderson Cooper’s departure from the iconic news magazine. (RELATED: CBS News Fires Scott Pelley After Behind-The-Scenes Conflict)
The rumors gained traction after RadarOnline reported earlier this year that CBS executives were interested in bringing Rogan into the fold, describing the move as a potential effort to reach audiences that have increasingly abandoned traditional media.
As American Liberty News previously reported, RadarOnline cited unnamed industry sources who claimed network leaders saw Rogan as a way to connect with viewers who feel alienated by legacy news organizations. (RELATED: Report: CBS Eyes Joe Rogan For ’60 Minutes’ Amid Ratings Slump)
“This isn’t stunt casting,” a television industry insider told RadarOnline at the time. “It’s strategy. Rogan opens a direct pipeline to the massive MAGA audience CBS has struggled to reach for years.”
The speculation resurfaced this week when the Austin American-Statesman published a report stating that the Austin-based podcaster was reportedly being considered for a role on “60 Minutes.”
But CBS quickly shot down the claim.
According to the Statesman, CBS News issued a statement calling the reports “false.”
The newspaper subsequently updated its story to note: “CBS News has denied reports that Austin-based podcaster Joe Rogan will serve as a replacement for ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Anderson Cooper. A CBS News spokesperson said in an official statement to the American-Statesman that reports on Rogan joining the network are ‘false.'”
Rogan did not comment on the speculation, according to the Statesman.
The denial appears to close the door — at least for now — on one of the more surprising media rumors of the year.
Still, the story gained widespread attention because it touched on a reality that many media executives are grappling with: independent creators increasingly command audiences that traditional news organizations can only dream of attracting.
Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” remains one of the most influential media platforms in the world, regularly drawing millions of viewers and listeners across multiple platforms. His interviews with politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes, and cultural figures often generate more public attention than many cable news programs combined.
By contrast, legacy news organizations have spent years battling declining ratings, shrinking trust, and growing competition from podcasts, streaming services, and independent media personalities.
The original RadarOnline report suggested some insiders believed Rogan’s audience could provide a much-needed boost for CBS.
“You bring in Rogan and you immediately gain a core connection to over 50 percent of the country,” a media executive claimed. “He speaks to viewers who feel ignored or mocked by legacy media.”
For now, Joe Rogan is staying in podcasting, and “60 Minutes” remains in search of its next chapter.
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