48 Hours (TV series)
Encyclopedia
48 Hours is a documentary
and news program broadcast on the CBS
television network
since January 19, 1988. The program originally presented documentaries of various events related to a particular subject occurring within a 48-hour period, and is credited as one of the first to air a "reality show" type format, in its 1997 episode starring Richard Scully covering "Dating in the Nineties". In its current format, as 48 Hours Mystery, the program mainly presents "true crime
" documentaries.
Susan Zirisnky is the executive producer. The executive editor is Al Briganti. The senior producers are Anthony Batson, Paul Ryan, Peter Schweitzer and Judy Tygard.
The show now airs Saturday nights at 10 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific time)/9 p.m. (Central and Mountain time) as part of the network's placeholder Crimetime Saturday
block; as such, the series is currently one of only two remaining first-run prime time programs (excluding sports) airing on Saturday nights on the four major U.S. broadcast television networks, along with Fox
's COPS
. The program sometimes airs two hour episodes or two episodes in a row on Saturday night depending on the subject involved or to counterprogram
other networks.
documentary titled 48 Hours on Crack Street, about the drug crisis plaguing a number of U.S. neighborhoods. The special attracted some 15 million viewers.
Like the original documentary, the series originally focused on showing events occurring within a 48 hour span of time – hence the name. This format was eventually phased out by the early 1990s.
One of the contributors to that program, CBS News Correspondent Harold Dow
, had been a member of the 48 Hours air staff since its premiere. Dan Rather
, at the time also hosting the CBS Evening News
, was the primary host of 48 Hours for its first fourteen years on air.
took over hosting duties from Dan Rather
, and its name was changed to 48 Hours Investigates. The name was changed again to 48 Hours Mystery in 2004, and with its single-topic format, it does not use a single host but is narrated by the reporter assigned to the story.
The current format of the documentary primarily deals with real life mysteries and crime stories, again with just one mystery per episode, owing to its single topic per show heritage.
The program is not confined to reporting mysteries; CBS often uses the 48 Hours title or timeslot to present special reports on events, such as a 2006 report on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks
, or coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre
in April 2007. However, the relationship between these special programs and the rest of the series is essentially limited to the program's title.
At the start of the 2011-12 television season, the program converted to 1080i
high definition, making it the last American broadcast primetime newsmagazine to convert to the format; the network's overnight Up to the Minute
remains in standard definition, along with summer series Big Brother
.
s, and an Ohio State Award.
The program airs Saturday's on CHCH
/CHEK
/CJNT
.
Sweden
The program airs weekly on Kanal 9
.
Norway
The program airs on weeknights on TVNorge
.
Television documentary
Documentary television is a genre of television programming that broadcasts documentaries.* Documentary television series, a television series which is made up of documentary episodes....
and news program broadcast on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
since January 19, 1988. The program originally presented documentaries of various events related to a particular subject occurring within a 48-hour period, and is credited as one of the first to air a "reality show" type format, in its 1997 episode starring Richard Scully covering "Dating in the Nineties". In its current format, as 48 Hours Mystery, the program mainly presents "true crime
True crime
True crime is a non-fiction literary and film genre in which the author examines an actual crime and details the actions of real people.The crimes most commonly include murder, but true crime works have also touched on other legal cases. Depending on the writer, true crime can adhere strictly to...
" documentaries.
Susan Zirisnky is the executive producer. The executive editor is Al Briganti. The senior producers are Anthony Batson, Paul Ryan, Peter Schweitzer and Judy Tygard.
The show now airs Saturday nights at 10 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific time)/9 p.m. (Central and Mountain time) as part of the network's placeholder Crimetime Saturday
Crimetime Saturday
Crimetime Saturday is the official branding for a programming block that started in 2004–05 on the American CBS and Canadian CTV networks between 9 and 11 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday nights...
block; as such, the series is currently one of only two remaining first-run prime time programs (excluding sports) airing on Saturday nights on the four major U.S. broadcast television networks, along with Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's COPS
COPS (TV series)
Cops is an American documentary/reality television series that follows police officers, constables, and sheriff's deputies during patrols and other police activities...
. The program sometimes airs two hour episodes or two episodes in a row on Saturday night depending on the subject involved or to counterprogram
Counterprogramming
In Broadcast programming, counterprogramming is the practice of offering television programs to attract an audience from another television station airing a major event.-Television:...
other networks.
Original format
The show drew its name, inspiration and original format from the September 1986 CBS NewsCBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
documentary titled 48 Hours on Crack Street, about the drug crisis plaguing a number of U.S. neighborhoods. The special attracted some 15 million viewers.
Like the original documentary, the series originally focused on showing events occurring within a 48 hour span of time – hence the name. This format was eventually phased out by the early 1990s.
One of the contributors to that program, CBS News Correspondent Harold Dow
Harold Dow
Harold Dow was an American television news correspondent, journalist, and investigative reporter with CBS News.-Personal life:...
, had been a member of the 48 Hours air staff since its premiere. Dan Rather
Dan Rather
Daniel Irvin "Dan" Rather, Jr. is an American journalist and the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News. He is now managing editor and anchor of the television news magazine Dan Rather Reports on the cable channel HDNet. Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9,...
, at the time also hosting the CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
, was the primary host of 48 Hours for its first fourteen years on air.
48 Hours Investigates/Mystery
The program was revamped in 2002 when Lesley StahlLesley Stahl
Lesley Rene Stahl is an American television journalist. Since 1991, she has reported for CBS on 60 Minutes.-Personal life:...
took over hosting duties from Dan Rather
Dan Rather
Daniel Irvin "Dan" Rather, Jr. is an American journalist and the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News. He is now managing editor and anchor of the television news magazine Dan Rather Reports on the cable channel HDNet. Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9,...
, and its name was changed to 48 Hours Investigates. The name was changed again to 48 Hours Mystery in 2004, and with its single-topic format, it does not use a single host but is narrated by the reporter assigned to the story.
The current format of the documentary primarily deals with real life mysteries and crime stories, again with just one mystery per episode, owing to its single topic per show heritage.
The program is not confined to reporting mysteries; CBS often uses the 48 Hours title or timeslot to present special reports on events, such as a 2006 report on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, or coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre
Virginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
in April 2007. However, the relationship between these special programs and the rest of the series is essentially limited to the program's title.
At the start of the 2011-12 television season, the program converted to 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
high definition, making it the last American broadcast primetime newsmagazine to convert to the format; the network's overnight Up to the Minute
Up to the Minute
Up to the Minute is a CBS overnight broadcast which offers hard news, features, interviews, weather, sports, business and commentary. Up to the Minute draws from the full resources of CBS News, including the CBS Evening News, Newspath, affiliate stations, the CBS Radio Network and Reuters Television...
remains in standard definition, along with summer series Big Brother
Big Brother (US TV series)
Big Brother is the American version of the Big Brother reality television show based on the Dutch television series of the same name originally created by John de Mol in 1997. The show follows a group of House Guests living together twenty-four hours a day in the "Big Brother" house, isolated from...
.
48 Hours: Live To Tell
48 Hours: Live To Tell uses a different format from the earlier versions of the series. There is no narrator. The stories are recounted by the victims of the crimes and/or people who are friends of the victims.Awards and nominations
The program has received over 20 Emmy awards, two Peabody AwardPeabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
s, and an Ohio State Award.
Syndicated repeats
- Reruns of the series are regularly seen on the daytime and weekend schedules of both Investigation Discovery and TLCTLC (TV channel)TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
with varying titles based on subject matter like 48 Hours Hard Evidence, 48 Hours Investigates, and 48 Hours on ID. - ION Television aired repeats of 48 Hours on Sunday nights in the 2007-08 television season. Erin MoriartyErin MoriartyErin F. Moriarty is an American television news reporter and correspondent.Moriarty attended Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio State University...
hosted these episodes with updated graphics and wraps.
International broadcasts
CanadaThe program airs Saturday's on CHCH
CHCH-TV
CHCH-DT, channel 11, is a television station originating in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with transmitters located throughout Ontario. CHCH currently operates as an independent station, having previously served as a CBC Television affiliate, and more recently as the flagship station of the...
/CHEK
CHEK-TV
CHEK-DT, channel 6.1, is a television station based in Victoria, British Columbia and broadcasting to all of southwestern BC...
/CJNT
CJNT-TV
CJNT-DT is a Canadian multicultural television station in Montreal, Quebec. The station is owned and operated by Channel Zero and uses the on-air brand Metro 14.-History:...
.
Sweden
The program airs weekly on Kanal 9
Kanal 9
Kanal 9 is a commercial television channel owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG broadcasting to Sweden. It targets the 30-59 age group, which is a slightly older age group than the sister channel Kanal 5. The channel launched on 25 February 2007. Its opening night featured the 79th Academy Awards...
.
Norway
The program airs on weeknights on TVNorge
TVNorge
TVNorge is a Norwegian television channel.TVNorge went on the air December 5, 1988 and was the first advertising-supported Norwegian channel. The channel was started with 50 000 NOK...
.
Current correspondents
- Maureen MaherMaureen MaherMaureen Maher is an American television news reporter and correspondent, currently TV host of 48 Hours Mystery.Maher was born in the state of Michigan, just outside of Detroit. Her birth parents were high school seniors unable to provide for Maureen and subsequently giving her up for adoption. In...
- Erin MoriartyErin MoriartyErin F. Moriarty is an American television news reporter and correspondent.Moriarty attended Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio State University...
- Troy RobertsTroy Roberts (journalist)Troy Roberts is an American television news reporter and correspondent for 48 Hours Mystery.Roberts was born on September 9, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from University of California, Berkley with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1984...
- Richard SchlesingerRichard Schlesinger (journalist)Richard Schlesinger is an American television news reporter and correspondent for 48 Hours Mystery. Schlesinger was born in New York. He graduated from University of Missouri with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism in 1976.-Career:...
- Susan SpencerSusan SpencerSusan Spencer is an American television news reporter and correspondent for 48 Hours Mystery.Spencer was born in Memphis, Tennesseee. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1968 with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. The following year, Spencer completed her Master's in...
- Peter Van SantPeter Van SantPeter Van Sant is an American television news reporter and correspondent for 48 Hours Mystery.Van Sant was born on February 21, 1953 in Seattle, Washington. He graduated cum laude from Washington State University in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in Communications.-Career:After gradutation, Van Sant...