20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6, 1978. Created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge, the show was designed similarly to CBS's 60 Minutes but focuses more on human interest stories than international and political subjects. The program's name...

20/20

TV Show TV-14 1978 40m/ep 6.1 /10 Returning

A ABC Original

Created by Roone Arledge

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Streaming availability last verified: February 01, 2026

About 20/20

20/20 has been a mainstay of American television news since it debuted on ABC in 1978. Rather than focusing on geopolitics, the hour-long program leans into human interest reporting and investigative pieces, offering feature reports, interviews, and follow-ups that aim to inform and provoke conversation. Over the decades the show has featured a rotating roster of anchors and correspondents, with contemporary faces including David Muir and Deborah Roberts, and it often pairs reported packages with studio segments to give context and reactions. Episodes range from intimate personal profiles to in-depth examinations of criminal cases and social issues.

First broadcast on June 6, 1978, 20/20 was created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge as a newsmagazine modeled in part on CBS's 60 Minutes. The format settled into an hour-long Friday evening slot in September 1987, though special editions have aired on other nights.

As one of the longest-running newsmagazines on U.S. television, 20/20 has become a recognizable fixture in pop culture. Its investigations and interviews have sometimes led national conversations, and certain segments have been widely replayed and referenced across media, giving the program a lasting presence beyond nightly newscasts.

Critical reception has been mixed to positive over time, reflected in audience ratings and the current vote average of 6.1/10 from user reviews. The show is best known for balancing emotional human stories with journalistic inquiry, though critics sometimes fault segments for sensationalizing true crime or leaning on emotional beats. Overall, it remains influential for bringing long-form reporting to a broad evening audience.

Across its run, the series has drawn industry recognition and various journalism nominations and honors, reflecting its sustained role in broadcast reporting. These acknowledgments underscore the program's longevity and its impact on television news practices.

Details

Release Date: June 06, 1978
Episode Length: 40m
Rating: TV-14
User Ratings: 33 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 27
Episodes: 716
Network: ABC
Status: Returning Series
Genres: News, Documentary
Country: United States
Studio: ABC News
External Links: View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

David Muir

Self - Anchor

Deborah Roberts

Self - Anchor

Created by: Roone Arledge

Seasons (27 seasons, 716 episodes)

Season 1

13 episodes - 1978

Season 2

20 episodes - 1979

Season 8

1 episodes - 1985

S25

Season 25

3 episodes - 2003

S26

Season 26

5 episodes - 2003

S28

Season 28

1 episodes

S29

Season 29

56 episodes - 2006

S30

Season 30

59 episodes - 2007

S31

Season 31

55 episodes - 2008

S32

Season 32

31 episodes - 2009

S33

Season 33

0 episodes

S34

Season 34

62 episodes - 2010

S35

Season 35

40 episodes - 2012

S36

Season 36

58 episodes - 2013

S37

Season 37

1 episodes

S38

20/20

3 episodes

S39

Season 39

3 episodes

Season 40

13 episodes

S41

Season 41

49 episodes - 2017

Season 42

44 episodes - 2018

Season 43

36 episodes - 2019

S44

Season 44

35 episodes - 2020

S45

Season 45

26 episodes - 2021

Season 46

33 episodes - 2022

Season 47

33 episodes - 2023

Season 48

35 episodes - 2024

S49

Season 49

15 episodes - 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

20/20 is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Yes, 20/20 is available to stream on Disney+.

Yes, you can buy on Amazon Video.

20/20 has 27 seasons with a total of 716 episodes.

With a rating of 6.1/10 from 33 viewers, 20/20 is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

20/20 stars David Muir and Deborah Roberts.

20/20 was created by Roone Arledge.

20/20 was released on June 06, 1978.

20/20 is a News and Documentary series.

The show's name comes from the "20/20" measurement of visual acuity, suggesting clear vision or insight in its reporting.

20/20 was created in a similar newsmagazine format but it focuses more on human interest stories rather than international and political subjects.

The hour-long program has been a staple on Friday evenings since it moved from Thursdays in September 1987, though special editions occasionally air on other nights.

Anchors include David Muir and Deborah Roberts. The program has featured many journalists over its long run since 1978.