'Meet the Press' is branching into live events with 'Meet the Moment LIVE,' hosted by Kristen Welker at City Winery in New York City on June 29, featuring Taraji P. Henson.
Expanding Beyond the Beltway
Since 1947, 'Meet the Press' has been a cornerstone of political dialogue, gathering influential figures in Washington D.C. Kristen Welker, who became moderator in 2023, is expanding the show's focus to issues affecting the entire nation, not just political insiders. Previous 'Meet the Moment' guests include Olivia Munn, Michael Phelps, and Martin Luther King III, discussing topics like grief, infertility, and sports.
'We are always going to have the big political conversations,' Welker states. 'But broader topics often affect our audience and are not typically addressed in traditional interviews.'
Live Events as a Revenue Stream
NBC News is exploring live events as a new revenue stream, following in the footsteps of Bravo's successful BravoCon. Events like 'Meet the Moment LIVE' could generate income through ticket sales and advertising partnerships. The concept isn't new for NBC; Willie Geist has conducted interviews for 'Sunday Today' in front of live audiences, and the 'Today' show held in-person events last fall.
Proven Appeal of 'Meet the Moment'
David Gelles, executive producer of 'Meet the Press', highlights the success of the 'Meet the Moment' segments. 'We have never lost a Sunday in the key demo whenever we have a 'Meet the Moment' conversation,' he notes. Focus groups indicate these segments are attracting new viewers to the show.
Welker was inspired by a historical 'Meet the Press' interview with Yogi Berra. 'He isn’t a politician, but because baseball touches all of us, it’s a part of our politics,' she explains. The goal is to provide deeper insights into complex issues by featuring guests outside the usual political sphere.
Looking to the Future
'Meet the Press' has a history of innovation, from podcasts to film festivals under previous moderator Chuck Todd. With the upcoming event, approximately 400 attendees will witness the exchange between Welker and Henson, marking what could be the start of a new series of live discussions. 'We see this as part of the future of ‘Meet the Press,’' Gelles says.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/meet-the-press-live-events-moment-kristen-welker-nbc-news-1236763334/
