<P> Meet the Press is a weekly American television news / interview program broadcast on NBC . It is the longest - running program in television history, though the current format bears little resemblance to the debut episode on November 6, 1947 . Meet the Press specializes in interviews with leaders in Washington, D.C., across the country and even the world on issues of politics, economics, foreign policy and other public affairs, along with panel discussions that provide opinions and analysis . It originates from NBC's bureau in Washington, D.C. </P> <P> The longevity of Meet the Press can be illustrated in consideration of the fact that the program debuted during what was only the second official "network television season" for American television . One historical landmark of the program is that it was the first on which a sitting U.S. President, Gerald Ford, appeared on a live television network news program, which occurred on the November 9, 1975 broadcast . </P> <P> The program has been hosted by 12 different moderators to date, beginning with creator Martha Rountree . The show's moderator since 2014 is Chuck Todd, who also serves as political director for NBC News . </P> <P> Currently, the hour - long program airs in most markets on Sundays at 9: 00 a.m. live in the Eastern Time Zone and on tape delay elsewhere . Meet the Press is also occasionally pre-empted due to network coverage of sports events held outside the U.S. The program is also rebroadcast on Sundays at 2: 00 p.m., and Mondays at 2: 00 a.m. and sometimes 4: 00 a.m. Eastern Time on MSNBC, whose audio feed is also simulcast on Sirius / XM Satellite Radio . The program is also syndicated by Westwood One to various radio stations around the United States, as well as on C - SPAN Radio as part of its replays of the Sunday morning talk shows . </P>

Who was the first host of meet the press