In 2023, the numbers keep getting better for Australia’s most iconic television program.

• 60 MINUTES, Australia’s most watched weekly current affairs program, returns on Sunday with two unmissable stories.
• 2023 marks the 45th consecutive season of the program.
• 60 MINUTES remains the No. 1 weekly current affairs program across TOTAL TV in the key demographics (25-54 and 16-39).
• 60 MINUTES is also the No. 1 news and current affairs program on 9Now (up 23% year-on-year).
• YouTube success for the program includes 5.1 million subscribers and 1.8 billion story streams.
• 60 MINUTES has also recorded substantial growth on Facebook (1.5 million followers, up 4%), Instagram (views up 68%), and TikTok (over 200,000 followers and 3.1 million content likes).

The 2023 season premiere of 60 MINUTES this Sunday at 8.40pm features two incredible stories.

In a world exclusive report, correspondent Tom Steinfort interviews four of the survivors of the Sea World helicopter tragedy. Their firsthand accounts of the terrifying crash reveal startling new information about the disaster from the lead-up to the collision, the catastrophic impact, and its frightening aftermath as their pilot fought to land his helicopter. Their recollections are supported by extraordinary video they shot inside their chopper, which now also provides air crash investigators with vital clues about the possible causes of this terrible accident.

The second story this Sunday is reported by Amelia Adams, the newest member of the 60 MINUTES team, who joins the program after a distinguished career travelling the world as a Nine News foreign correspondent. 

For her debut story, Adams investigates what went wrong on the set of the movie Rust after a gun being handled by actor Alec Baldwin discharged. The weapon was supposed to be loaded with blank bullets, but unbelievably there was at least one live round in the gun’s chamber. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza wounded in the incident. This week Baldwin, along with the film’s armourer, was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.  

Using body camera footage from emergency responders as well as other video taken on the day, Adams pieces together the harrowing timeline of a tragedy that should never have happened. Her report also includes an Australian exclusive interview with a member of the film crew who was on the set at the time, standing only a few metres away when the gun fired.

Kirsty Thomson, Executive Producer of 60 MINUTES, says: “Everyone here is thrilled to be back for the 45th season of the program and even more excited to be starting the year with such strong reporting of two very important stories.”

Thomson also paid tribute to 60 MINUTES viewers in Australia and around the world, saying: “We’re immensely proud we’ve been able to grow our audience, not only on free-to-air TV but also across other platforms.

“Our success is testament to the program’s unparalleled excellence in reporting, camerawork and editing. 60 MINUTES will continue to deliver video content that both introduces and deepens engagement with its traditional and online audiences.”

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60 MINUTES
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, AT 8.40PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Chris Urankar
9Network Publicity
chris.urankar@nine.com.au

Thursday, February 2, 2023