America's Town Meeting was broadcast from New York's Town Hall Auditorium and started out as a popular long running radio program on NBC, having begun on radio in May 1935. In 1948, it made its debut on television, on ABC. The format consisted of prominent persons debating current events. These people included politicians, writers, scientists and other experts. The subjects they debated were frequently controversial ones, often challenging popular opinions on subjects such as the spread of Communism, or the country's involvement in overseas wars. The program was unique for its time in that it also featured questions from both the live audience and from the listening audience around the country. Television Broadcast history: October 5, 1948 to July 6, 1952, Tuesday 8:30 PM and later, Sunday 6:30 PM.
