48 Hours - Definition and Overview

48 Hours is a documentary and news television program broadcast on the CBS television network since 1988. It was hosted by Dan Rather until the end of 2002, and Lesley Stahl has taken over the hosting duties since.

The style of the program is to present a single news story as it unfolds over the span of two days. Although it does cover breaking news, it also covers in-depth features.

Correspondents have included Bernard Goldberg, Erin Moriarity and Peter Van Sant.

48 Hours is a 1982 film directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. They play a convict and a cop who team up to catch a cop-killer. The title refers to the amount of time they have to solve the crime. 48 Hours was co-written by Hill and Roger Spottiswoode. The film spawned a sequel, Another 48 Hours.

"48 Hours" was a nickname for Abner Doubleday. It is both a pun on his name as well as a criticism of his indecision as a commander during the American Civil War. It was said that he needed a "double day" to make a decision.