First episode to focus on U.S. anti-drag movement following passage of Tennessee law

WASHINGTON — Meet the Press Reports, the seasonal streaming show from the team behind NBC News’ storied Sunday public affairs broadcast, launches its sixth season on Friday at 10:30 p.m. on NBC News NOW. The premiere brings a new timeslot for the show, with episodes also airing on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET following NBC’s Meet the Press, and on demand on Peacock and YouTube.

Throughout the eight-episode season, NBC News Political Director and Meet the Press Moderator Chuck Toddtakes viewers inside the crucial issues facing the country’s political leaders. Each episode features a long-form report from a different NBC News correspondent in the field followed by in-depth interviews and panel conversations led by Todd on set. 

Season six begins with an episode looking at the growing anti-drag movement on the right. NBC News Correspondent Antonia Hylton talks to drag performers who feel intimidated and threatened by new laws and animosity toward their community. In addition, she speaks with a Tennessee lawmaker who was one of the authors of a law tightening regulations on drag performances, and to vocal critics of drag performance.

Later episodes will feature original reporting from NBC News correspondents Jacob Ward, Tom Costello, Ron Allen, Julia Ainsley, Courtney Kube, and Lindsey Reiser, each tackling the following issues: 

• Artificial intelligence. Ward looks at the rapid advancements in the AI field and the dangers it might pose. 

• The race to Mars. As Chinese-U.S. tensions escalate on Earth, Costello examines another piece of this great power tension: the race to put a human on Mars. 

• Grifter Nation. Chuck Todd breaks down the rise in scam culture – from Elizabeth Holmes to Rep. George Santos – and how changes in the way we get our information have enabled a new generation of grifters.

• Reparations. For Juneteenth, Allen looks at the debate in California – never a slave state – over whether African Americans should receive financial reparations for centuries of slavery and many other ensuing injustices.

• Child migrant workers. Ainsley follows the stories of child migrants who arrive in the United States only to spend their time working dangerous jobs so they can send money back home. 

• Secret war on terror. Kube embedded in Somalia with U.S. Special Forces, who are quietly fighting America’s wars overseas.

• Living wage. What does a living wage mean anymore? Reiser profiles families in vastly different regions of the country who are all struggling to make ends meet. 

Originally debuting in fall 2020, Meet the Press Reports was the first program on a streaming news network to boast a major broadcast anchor at its helm. It originated as part of Todd’s ongoing mission to take Meet the Press beyond the hour-long Sunday show and bring the broadcast’s signature reporting and analysis to new platforms. The show has covered topics ranging from climate change to racism in football to the cryptocurrency boom.

NBC News NOW is the largest and fastest-growing streaming news network in the U.S., delivering 11 live, original hours daily, more than any other news organization. In Q1 2023, the network marked its best quarter on record as it debuted Stay Tuned NOW with anchor Gadi Schwartz and launched a second hour of Hallie Jackson NOW.

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