Face the Nation first aired on CBS in November 1954 and is one of the longest-running news programs in American television history. Created by CBS executive Frank Stanton, the series was designed as a Sunday morning forum for political discussion and public affairs coverage, setting a standard for broadcast journalism.
Broadcast live from the CBS News bureau in Washington, D.C., the program serves as a weekly forum for civil discourse on governance and foreign policy. Its signature format includes exclusive one-on-one interviews followed by a roundtable of respected journalists who provide context to the morning’s headlines.
Face the Nation is hosted by Margaret Brennan, who has been the show’s moderator since 2018. Her tenure has been marked by in-depth coverage of critical international issues, including the war in Ukraine, the Iran nuclear deal, and foreign policy. She has also conducted high-profile interviews with American and global policymakers.
Brennan, who is the second woman to host Face the Nation, succeeded John Dickerson, who moderated from 2015 to 2018 before moving to CBS Mornings. Other notable former hosts include Bob Schieffer, the longest-serving moderator, who served as anchor for 24 years until 2015; Lesley Stahl, the show’s first female moderator; and George Herman, who led the program for 15 years during the Cold War.
