60 Minutes Reports on “The Promise” & The Land of Declining Sons” August 17 2025
CBS presents a special postseason edition of “60 Minutes” this Sunday, featuring two compelling segments that explore both personal loss and global demographic change. Airing from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT, the hour includes updated stories that revisit significant topics with fresh reporting and insights.
The Promise
In a double-length segment, Scott Pelley investigates the ongoing search for the remains of victims of the September 11 attacks. More than two decades later, over 1,000 families are still waiting for closure. Pelley visits the laboratory of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, where advanced DNA research and new forensic techniques are providing long-awaited answers. The segment highlights the relentless dedication of scientists and investigators committed to fulfilling the promise made to families so many years ago. Nicole Young produced this emotional and deeply personal report.
The Land of Declining Sons
Correspondent Jon Wertheim travels to Japan to report on a demographic challenge with global implications. Although the world population recently surpassed eight billion, population growth is uneven, with many nations, including Japan, experiencing steep declines. Japan’s birth rate continues to fall, and its population is projected to shrink by half by the end of the century. Wertheim examines how these changes are reshaping society, culture, and the nation’s future. Jacqueline Williams produced this eye-opening segment on population trends and their far-reaching effects.
This Sunday’s edition of “60 Minutes” offers both a poignant look at enduring human loss and a broader examination of population shifts that will affect generations to come.
