History of CBS Reports in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 11, 2026

CBS Reports was a documentary series produced by CBS News, which ran from 1959 through the 1990s. It was broadcast in various formats, including a consistent series from 1959 to 1971 and as occasional specials or as part of a wheel series in rotation with 60 Minutes. The program covered various topics, delivering in-depth news and analysis through documentary filmmaking.

October 27, 1959: CBS Reports premiered

On October 27, 1959, CBS Reports premiered. It was intended as a successor to Edward R. Murrow's "See It Now", and employed several of the "See It Now" production staff.

1959: CBS Reports series begins

In 1959, CBS Reports began airing documentaries. It was a wheel series rotating with other CBS News series, or as specials. The program was a constant series from 1959 to 1971.

1960: CBS Reports wins Peabody Award

In 1960, CBS Reports received a Peabody Award for the episode "Harvest of Shame", which examined the lives of migrant workers in the United States.

1960: CBS Reports broadcast as specials

Throughout 1960, CBS Reports was broadcast on an irregular basis as a series of specials, following its premiere in 1959.

January 1961: CBS Reports gets primetime slot

In January 1961, CBS Reports was given a regular primetime slot on Thursdays at 10 p.m. (EST). This put it against "The Untouchables" on ABC and "Sing Along With Mitch" on NBC. As a result, many CBS affiliates pre-empted CBS Reports to air local programming.

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1961: Biography of a Bookie Joint nominated for Emmy

In 1961, "Biography of a Bookie Joint" was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Program of the Year. Boston Police Commissioner Leo J. Sullivan resigned after the episode, which showed members of his department visiting a gambling establishment.

1962: CBS Reports moved to Wednesday

In 1962, CBS moved CBS Reports to Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (EST), explaining that "the earlier hour will permit more young people to watch the program." This put the program up against "The Virginian" on NBC and "Wagon Train" on ABC.

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1965: CBS Reports moved to Tuesday

In the Fall of 1965, CBS moved CBS Reports to Tuesday at 10 p.m., opposite "The Fugitive" on ABC and NBC's "Tuesday Night at the Movies".

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1967: CBS Reports: The Homosexuals aired

In 1967, CBS Reports aired "The Homosexuals", the first time homosexuality was presented on a national network broadcast. It was praised for debunking stereotypes, but also criticized for generalizations. Some have called it "the single most destructive hour of antigay propaganda in our nation's history."

1971: CBS Reports series ends

In 1971, CBS Reports ended its run as a constant series after having aired since 1959.

1979: CBS Reports wins Peabody Award for Roger Mudd interview

In 1979, CBS Reports received a Peabody Award for Roger Mudd's interview with Ted Kennedy.

1980: Gay Power, Gay Politics criticized

In 1980, "Gay Power, Gay Politics" was criticized for misrepresenting sexual issues, reinforcing stereotypes, and making homosexuals appear as threats to public decency. CBS later apologized for manipulating the soundtrack of a speech made by San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein.

1982: Westmoreland sues CBS

In 1982, General William Westmoreland sued George Crile III, Mike Wallace, and CBS for libel after the network aired "The Uncounted Enemy", which said that Westmoreland had manipulated intelligence reports. Westmoreland dropped his lawsuit, but CBS lost its libel insurance.

2009: CBS Reports banner brought back

In 2009, the CBS Reports banner was brought back into use, with the series "CBS Reports: Children of the Recession", led by Katie Couric. The series of reports won a Columbia School of Journalism Alfred DuPont Award.

January 2010: CBS Reports: Where America Stands aired

In January 2010, a second series led by Katie Couric aired, called "CBS Reports: Where America Stands".

2016: CBSN Originals launched

In 2016, CBSN streaming service launched CBSN Originals, a documentary series sponsored by pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Adam Yamaguchi became executive producer and correspondent for the project.

2022: CBSN Originals rebranded as CBS Reports

In 2022, the CBSN Originals project was rebranded as CBS Reports. Each documentary "takes a deep dive into key issues driving national and global conversations".