This Week (1981)
ABC's landmark Sunday morning political program, shaping American public affairs coverage for over four decades.
This Week - Series Information
- Original Title: This Week
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Roone Arledge
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: News, War, Politics
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 127
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 15, 1981 (United States - NR)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: This Week with Howard K. Smith (US)
- Production Companies: ABC News
- Production Countries: United States of America
This Week - Plot
ABC's Sunday morning political affairs program, currently hosted by George Stephanopoulos.
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This Week - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Roone Arledge
Main Cast
- David Brinkley
- Sam Donaldson
- Cokie Roberts
- George Stephanopoulos
- Jake Tapper
- Christiane Amanpour
- Martha Raddatz
- Jonathan Karl
- John McCain
- Bob Newhart
This Week - FAQs
Who currently hosts This Week on ABC?
George Stephanopoulos is the current host of This Week. A former White House Communications Director under President Clinton, he joined ABC News and has anchored the Sunday program for many years, bringing a distinctive insider perspective to political interviews and roundtable discussions.
How long has This Week been on the air?
This Week premiered on November 15, 1981, making it one of the longest-running Sunday political programs in American television history. Over more than four decades, it has featured iconic anchors including David Brinkley, Sam Donaldson, Cokie Roberts, and Christiane Amanpour.
Where can you watch This Week for free?
This Week is available to watch for free on PBS. As an over-the-air broadcast program on ABC, it also airs on local ABC affiliates every Sunday morning at no cost. Check your local listings or the ABC News website for the most current schedule and streaming options.
Who created This Week and what is its history?
This Week was created by Roone Arledge, the legendary ABC News president who transformed American broadcast journalism. Originally titled This Week with David Brinkley, the show launched in 1981 and set the template for the modern Sunday political talk format, blending newsmaker interviews with sharp roundtable analysis.
Is This Week still in production in 2025?
Yes, This Week remains in active production and continues to air new episodes in 2025. Season 45 is currently underway with 26 episodes scheduled, confirming the program's status as a returning series and one of the most enduring fixtures in American Sunday morning television.
What notable anchors and hosts has This Week featured?
Over its four-decade run, This Week has been anchored by some of journalism's biggest names, including David Brinkley, Sam Donaldson, Cokie Roberts, Jake Tapper, Christiane Amanpour, Martha Raddatz, and Jonathan Karl. Each brought a distinct voice to the program, helping shape its reputation for rigorous political coverage.
What topics does This Week typically cover each episode?
Each episode focuses on the week's most pressing political and current affairs stories. The format typically combines one-on-one interviews with senior government officials, lawmakers, and newsmakers, followed by a roundtable discussion featuring journalists and political analysts debating the major issues of the day.
What are similar shows to This Week for political news fans?
Fans of This Week will likely enjoy Meet the Press (1947), the NBC Sunday staple that shares a similar interview-and-roundtable format, and CBS News Sunday Morning (1979), which blends politics with broader cultural coverage. Nightline (1980) is another strong ABC News companion for in-depth political analysis.
More About This Week
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