20/20

20/20
Show name	20/20
Genre	Investigative journalism, News magazine
Presenter	See section
Country	United States
Language	English
Runtime	60 minutes
Network	ABC
First aired	1978

20/20

20/20 is an American television newsmagazine program broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company that features investigative reports, human-interest stories, and interviews. Created during the late 1970s media expansion era, the program has been associated with prominent journalists and producers and has covered topics ranging from political scandals to celebrity profiles. Over decades it has intersected with major institutions, personalities, and events in United States media and public life.

Overview

20/20 presents a mix of investigative journalism, feature reporting, and interviews produced by ABC News teams led by anchors and executive producers. The program has been fronted by figures linked to ABC News bureaus in New York City, staff who previously worked at NBC News, CBS News, and cable outlets such as CNN and MSNBC. Episodes have featured reporting on subjects connected to the White House, United States Congress, international crises involving United Nations actions, corporate controversies with ties to firms like Enron and ExxonMobil, and cultural stories touching on celebrities such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and Tom Cruise. Production collaborations have involved teams with prior experience at news organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and magazines like Time (magazine) and Newsweek.

Origins and development

The program was developed amid changes in broadcast news during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when executives at ABC sought to expand long-form reporting similar to formats pioneered by programs on CBS and NBC. Early leadership included producers and correspondents who had worked with figures from Walter Cronkite-era newsrooms and later generations influenced by editors at The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and investigative units associated with ProPublica and the Center for Investigative Reporting. The format evolved in response to competition from cable channels like CNN, legal developments involving Federal Communications Commission regulations, and business pressures tied to advertising sold to corporations such as General Electric, Coca-Cola, and Ford Motor Company. Changes in tenure of on-air talent linked the series to anchors with prior roles at 60 Minutes, Dateline NBC, and public broadcasting programs on PBS.

Format and production

Each episode typically contains multiple segments produced by ABC News teams operating out of bureaus in New York City, Washington, D.C., and international bureaus in cities like London, Tokyo, and Jerusalem. Production workflows draw on practices established in newsroom institutions like Associated Press, Reuters, and wire services, while legal review often consults former attorneys from firms associated with high-profile media litigation such as those involving News Corporation and Viacom. Technical production has incorporated camera and editing technologies from companies like Sony Corporation and Panasonic, and on-air presentation has evolved alongside branding changes at ABC News and promotional partnerships with networks like Disney–ABC Television Group.

Notable episodes and investigations

Over its run, the program has aired investigations into political controversies tied to the Watergate scandal aftermath, reporting on financial collapses related to Enron and coverage of legal cases connected to figures such as O. J. Simpson and Martha Stewart. Cultural investigations have examined scandals involving celebrities including Britney Spears, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, and profiles of artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. International reporting has covered crises in regions associated with Iraq War coverage, humanitarian reporting tied to Kosovo, and profiles related to leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Vladimir Putin. Special editions have featured interviews with presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama and in-depth looks at Supreme Court rulings involving justices like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia.

Reception and impact

The series has received awards and recognition from institutions such as the Peabody Awards, Emmy Award committees, and journalism organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists and the Investigative Reporters and Editors association. Critical reception has ranged from praise in outlets like The New York Times', The Washington Post', and The Guardian to scrutiny from media watchdogs including Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting and legal challenges involving plaintiffs represented by law firms such as Baker McKenzie and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Ratings competition with programs like 60 Minutes and Dateline NBC has shaped scheduling decisions at ABC and influenced corporate strategy at parent companies including The Walt Disney Company.

International versions and adaptations

While the format originated at ABC in the United States, comparable newsmagazine formats have appeared on networks such as BBC One's investigative programs, CBC Television features in Canada, Nine Network specials in Australia, and private broadcasters in countries including Germany and France. Adaptations and licensing discussions have involved production houses with ties to Endemol Shine Group and distribution through international arms of conglomerates such as Disney, Vivendi, and RTL Group.

Category:American television news shows Category:ABC News programs