Synopsis: Dateline NBC debuted in spring of 1992 against formidable odds. NBC had been trying to launch a successful prime-time newsmagazine since the Nixon presidency, but the network was batting 0-for-17. Among Dateline's cancelled precursors were First Tuesday, Chronolog, Weekend, Prime Time Sunday, NBC Magazine, Monitor, and First Camera. What Dateline had going for it was the appeal and experience of anchors Jane Pauley and Stone Phillips. Phillips had been a news correspondent for a decade before coming to Dateline. Pauley was familiar to most viewers—and beloved by many—after thirteen years as co-anchor of the Today show.

Much to the critics' surprise, Dateline was a huge success and under former executive producer Neal Shapiro's direction, became the first newsmagazine to create a "brand," growing from one night to ultimately as many as five nights per week. Today Dateline is known as the number one newsmagazine among viewers age 18-49, the most coveted demographic by advertisers. Dateline has also earned the highest distinction of being the most honored news program on television. In its 10-year history, the broadcast has won 28 Emmy Awards, 26 Edward R. Murrow Awards, two George Foster Peabody Awards, three Alfred I. Dupont Awards, 28 American Women in Radio and Television Gracie Awards, 37 National Headliner Awards, 24 Clarion Awards, five Sigma Delta Chi Awards, and five Overseas Press Club Awards.

The broadcast features leading NBC News talents Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric and Maria Shriver, each of whom contributes to some of the editions. Dateline also includes esteemed, award-winning correspondents including Robert Bazell, Vicoria Corderi, Dawn Fratangelo, David Gregory, Chris Hansen, John Hockenberry, Sara James, Hoda Kotbe, Lisa Rudolph, John Larson, Edie Magnus, Josh Mankiewicz, Bob McKeown, Keith Morrison, Dennis Murphy, Rob Stafford, Mike Taibbi and Lea Thompson.

Dateline's format gives it the flexibility to air hour-long interviews and in-depth examinations of individual subjects, multi-part investigations and follow-ups that stretch over weeks or months, and even detailed analyses of that day's breaking news. The program has brought Americans in-depth coverage of breaking news, such as the September 11th tragedy, the Columbine shootings, Florida State battle over the 2001 Presidential election, the impeachment of President Clinton, the death of Princess Diana and the crash of JFK Jr.'s plane.

Dateline has presented several acclaimed hour-long specials such as, Tom Brokaw’s "The Promised Land," a report on American immigration policy and the detention of asylum-seekers; John Hockenberry’s "For Whom the Bell Tolls," a report on corporate layoffs in America; Maria Shriver’s "Checks and Balances," an examination of Wisconsin’s welfare reform program; and "Paper Chase" John Larson's investigation into medical insurance fraud which won 11 prestigious journalism awards, more than other individual show in the history of television.

Production Info:
The show is currently under the leadership of David Corvo, who became the executive producer in May of 2001.

Airdates:
This special debuted on NBC on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2002.