What Happened to Meet the Press?
Meet the Press is the longest-running television program in American history, having debuted in 1947 after starting as a radio show in 1945. It continues to be a prominent Sunday morning political talk show on NBC, currently moderated by Kristen Welker, who took over in September 2023. The program remains a key platform for interviews with political leaders and analysis of current events, consistently performing well in key demographic ratings.
Quick Answer
Meet the Press, the longest-running show in American television history, is currently moderated by Kristen Welker, who took over from Chuck Todd in September 2023. Under Welker's leadership, the program has seen a resurgence in viewership among younger demographics, consistently ranking #1 in the A25-54 demo for the 2024-25 broadcast season and into 2026. It continues its tradition of hosting exclusive interviews with top political figures, including recent sit-downs with President Donald Trump.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Radio Debut
The program originates as a radio show on the Mutual Broadcasting System, titled 'American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press,' created by Martha Rountree and Lawrence Spivak.
Television Debut on NBC
The show transitions to television on the NBC network, shortened to 'Meet the Press,' with Martha Rountree becoming its first moderator.
First News Program in Color
Meet the Press makes history by becoming the first news program to broadcast in color.
First Sitting President Interviewed Live
President Gerald Ford appears on the program, marking the first time a sitting U.S. President was a guest on a live television network news program.
Tim Russert Becomes Moderator
Tim Russert takes over as moderator, expanding the show to an hour and establishing a format focused on in-depth, one-on-one interviews, leading to consistent top ratings.
Tim Russert's Death
Longtime and highly influential moderator Tim Russert passes away, leaving a significant void in Sunday morning political journalism.
Chuck Todd Becomes Moderator
Chuck Todd, then NBC News political director, takes over as the 12th moderator of Meet the Press.
Chuck Todd Announces Departure, Kristen Welker Named Successor
Chuck Todd announces on air that he will step down as moderator in September, with Kristen Welker, NBC News' chief White House correspondent, named as his replacement.
Kristen Welker Becomes 13th Moderator
Kristen Welker officially assumes the role of moderator, becoming the 13th person and the first journalist of color to lead the program.
Chuck Todd Exits NBC News
Chuck Todd officially leaves NBC News after nearly 18 years, following his departure from Meet the Press in 2023.
High-Profile Interview with President Trump
Kristen Welker conducts a wide-ranging interview with President Donald Trump, which becomes the highest-rated broadcast for Meet the Press in 2025.
MTP #1 in Key Demos for 2025
Meet the Press with Kristen Welker is ranked the #1 Sunday public affairs show for both A25-54 and A18-49 demo viewers in 2025, marking its first such achievement in four years.
MTP Leads May 2026 Key Demo Ratings
Meet the Press with Kristen Welker is ranked the #1 Sunday public affairs show in May 2026 among the key A25-54 demo viewers, continuing its strong performance.
Exclusive Interview with President Donald Trump
Kristen Welker is scheduled to conduct an exclusive interview with President Donald Trump, airing on Meet the Press, marking her fourth sit-down with him.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Meet the Press holds a unique place in American media as the longest-running television program in the nation's history. It originated as a radio show, "American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press," in 1945, designed to promote The American Mercury magazine. The program made its television debut on NBC on November 6, 1947, with co-creator Martha Rountree serving as its first moderator. Its initial format was a press conference where newsmakers faced questions from a panel of journalists, a groundbreaking concept at the time.
Over its extensive history, Meet the Press has seen 13 moderators, each leaving their mark on the show's evolution. A significant turning point came with Tim Russert, who moderated from 1991 until his death in 2008. Russert transformed the program, expanding it to an hour and shifting its focus to in-depth, one-on-one interviews, often challenging guests by playing back their past statements. Under his tenure, Meet the Press consistently dominated Sunday morning ratings, setting a standard for political talk shows.
Following Russert's passing, David Gregory moderated the show from 2008 to 2014, a period that saw a decline in viewership and influence. Chuck Todd then took the helm in September 2014, serving until September 2023. Todd was credited with expanding the "Meet the Press" brand across various platforms, including a daily MSNBC show and streaming content. Despite facing occasional criticism for his editorial decisions, the show maintained strong viewership, particularly in key demographics.
In June 2023, Todd announced his departure, naming Kristen Welker as his successor. Welker officially became the 13th moderator on September 17, 2023, marking a new chapter for the venerable program and becoming the first journalist of color to moderate a Sunday public affairs program. Chuck Todd officially exited NBC News in January 2025 to pursue other projects.
As of June 7, 2026, Meet the Press with Kristen Welker has demonstrated strong performance, particularly among younger audiences. It closed out 2025 as the #1 Sunday public affairs show for both the A25-54 and A18-49 demo viewers for the first time in four years. This trend has continued into 2026, with the show ranking #1 in the key A25-54 demo for the 2024-25 broadcast season and season-to-date 2025-26. In May 2026, it again led the A25-54 demo, marking its 14th win in the last 16 months in that category. The program continues to feature high-profile interviews, including multiple sit-downs with President Donald Trump in May 2025 and an exclusive interview scheduled for June 7, 2026. David P. Gelles serves as the executive producer for Meet the Press.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Meet the Press made different choices?