The Twentieth Century
Series Overview
The Twentieth Century is a long-running CBS documentary television series that aired from 1957 to 1966, sponsored throughout its run by the Prudential Insurance Company and narrated by Walter Cronkite. Drawing on the resources of CBS News, the series produced both historical compilation documentaries and originally photographed contemporary reports, presenting major political, cultural, scientific, and social developments that shaped the modern world. Episodes combined newsreel footage, eyewitness testimony, and on-location reporting, covering subjects ranging from global conflicts and political change to arts, science, and international social transformation. Popular with audiences and critically respected, the series functioned as a formative model for later American television documentary programming and helped establish the compilation-documentary format as a central mode of broadcast nonfiction.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
9 Seasons • 221 Episodes
30 min per episode
1957 – 1966
Premiered: Sun, Oct 20, 1957
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 9, Episode 18: “Man of the Month: The Draftee”
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
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Creative Leadership & Key Crew
James Benjamin
Isaac Kleinerman
Department Leadership Roster
Isaac Kleinerman
Producer
James Benjamin
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Twentieth Century.
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Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Twentieth Century
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Twentieth Century about?
The Twentieth Century is a long-running CBS documentary television series that aired from 1957 to 1966, sponsored throughout its run by the Prudential Insurance Company and narrated by Walter Cronkite. Drawing on the resources of CBS News, the series produced both historical compilation documentaries and originally photographed contemporary reports, presenting major political, cultural, scientific, and social developments that shaped the modern world. Episodes combined newsreel footage, eyewitness testimony, and on-location reporting, covering subjects ranging from global conflicts and political change to arts, science, and international social transformation. Popular with audiences and critically respected, the series functioned as a formative model for later American television documentary programming and helped establish the compilation-documentary format as a central mode of broadcast nonfiction.
How many seasons does The Twentieth Century have?
The Twentieth Century comprises 9 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in The Twentieth Century?
Key cast members in The Twentieth Century include Walter Cronkite.
Who created or directed The Twentieth Century?
The Twentieth Century was developed and directed by Not specified.