On November 6, 1947, Meet the Press moved from radio to NBC television, becoming one of the first regular public affairs programs on TV. The show featured journalists questioning political figures about current issues. Its format encouraged more direct and sometimes confrontational exchanges than typical speeches or press releases. Over the decades, presidents, members of Congress, and foreign leaders used the program to communicate with voters. The show’s longevity gave it an influential role in shaping how Americans follow politics. It also helped establish the idea that serious news programming could have a steady audience on television.
