Exclusive | CBS News taps Matt Gutman for ‘major role’ at ’48 Hours,’ contributor to ’60 Minutes:’ sources

CBS News is expected to announce that ABC News’ Matt Gutman will take on a “major role” at the Tiffany Network’s true-crime show “48 Hours” — and also contribute to “60 Minutes,” The Post has learned.

The hire is part of a “major overhaul” for “48 Hours” as CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss continues her shakeup of the outlet, according to a network source with knowledge of the matter.

Weiss “relentlessly pursued” Gutman, currently an ABC News national correspondent, the source said. “They view him as a key guy. He will play a significant role.”

“She wants to overhaul ’48 Hours.’ His passion is true crime,” the source said, adding that it isn’t clear if he will host the show or merely be a driving force behind it.

“48 Hours” has been hosted by a revolving group of journalists, including Anne-Marie Green, Natalie Morales, Erin Moriarty, Tracy Smith and Peter Van Sant, who anchor and report out the show.

It could not be learned if Weiss plans to slim down the number of anchors.

Part of Weiss’ pitch to Gutman was allowing him to contribute to the network’s marquee “60 Minutes” as she looks to bring in fresh blood, as The Post exclusively reported in October. Insiders said she has been weighing whether to retire some of the program’s older correspondents like Scott Pelley, Lesley Stahl and Bill Whitaker. 

Details of Gutman’s new responsibilities were not immediately known.

A CBS News rep declined to comment.

Although Gutman is not among the biggest names in broadcast news, he brings a mix of international reporting experience and digital savvy — a big focus for Weiss — insiders said.

The 47-year-old correspondent created a chart-topping, true-crime podcast called “Devil in the Desert” about a California kidnapping, and the series “Cutthroat Inc.,” about greed and deception around a shocking murder. ABC Audio produced both projects.

The chief national correspondent and field reporter is also known for his coverage of international crises, including years spent reporting from the Middle East and coverage of the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel.

Gutman has come under fire for a handful of missteps, too, including his erroneous on-air reporting in 2020 that all four of Kobe Bryant’s daughters were with him when a helicopter plunged him to his death — leading to Gutman’s temporary suspension by ABC for failing editorial standards.

The buff correspondent also raised eyebrows at the Disney-owned network for posting racy shirtless photos of himself working out on his personal Instagram. A source with knowledge of the matter said Disney higher-ups were “not amused” and he was instructed to take them down.

Gutman also landed in hot water earlier this year over his on-air comments about the suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson and his roommate, calling the texts between them “very touching in a way we did not expect.”

The journo issued an apology shortly afterwards, writing on X: “Yesterday I tried to underscore the jarring contrast between this cold blooded assassination of Charlie Kirk — a man who dedicated his life to public dialogue — and the personal, disturbing texts read aloud by the Utah County Attorney at the press conference.”