NBC
The Radio Corporation of America established the National Broadcasting Company in 1926. This new entity became the first major broadcast network in the United States. General Electric, Westinghouse, and AT&T Corporation initially co-owned the organization. The structure involved complex corporate partnerships that shaped early broadcasting standards. RCA created a division named National Broadcasting Company Inc to manage operations. These parent companies held significant stakes in the fledgling network. The arrangement allowed for rapid expansion across American airwaves. Antitrust violations later forced the U.S. government to intervene. In 1932, GE had to sell both RCA and NBC due to legal pressure. This divestiture marked a turning point in corporate ownership history.
General Electric regained control of RCA through a $6.4 billion purchase in late 1986. The company immediately closed or sold off most other RCA divisions after retaining NBC. French media company Vivendi Universal merged its entertainment assets with GE in 2004. This merger formed NBCUniversal as a subsidiary of Comcast. Comcast purchased a controlling interest in NBCUniversal in 2011. The acquisition of GE's remaining stake occurred in 2013. These transactions reshaped the landscape of American television ownership. The network now operates under the umbrella of a massive global conglomerate. Headquarters remain at Rockefeller Center in New York City. The building itself was constructed by predecessor parent companies decades ago.
Meet the Press debuted in 1947 as one of the longest continuously running series on American television. Today followed shortly after in 1952, establishing a morning news format that persists today. The Tonight Show began nationally in 1954 with Steve Allen hosting the first episode. Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975 and remains on air to this day. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit started in 1999 and entered its 26th season in October 2024. Brandon Tartikoff hired Bill Cosby to create The Cosby Show during his tenure from 1981 to 1991. He also developed Miami Vice based on an MTV cops concept memo. Michael J. Fox starred in Family Ties after Gary David Goldberg insisted on casting him. Johnny Carson retired from The Tonight Show in February 1991, ending a legendary run.
NBC News has been integral to the network since its radio days. The Huntley-Brinkley Report gained prominence under Robert E. Kintner's leadership from 1958 to 1966. Julian Goodman helped establish Chet Huntley and David Brinkley as a well-known anchor team. In 1989, the division expanded to cable with the launch of CNBC. MSNBC was created in 1996 as a joint venture with Microsoft. The Weather Channel joined NBC in 2008 alongside Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. Today airs from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekdays. NBC Nightly News provides evening coverage for millions of viewers. These programs have shaped public discourse for decades through consistent broadcasting schedules.
NBC holds American broadcasting rights to the Summer Olympic Games since 1988. Winter Olympic rights were secured starting with the 2002 games. Coverage often pre-empts regularly scheduled programs during daytime or prime time slots. Live sports programming runs between 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time on weekends. Most broadcasts occur between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern. From Fall 2025, Sunday Year round sports programming blocks began airing from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The network also carries NFL game telecasts after mobile rights changes in 2018. In July 2022, NBC announced plans to shut down the Olympic Channel by September 30. These events generate massive viewership numbers across the country.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the National Broadcasting Company established?
The Radio Corporation of America established the National Broadcasting Company in 1926. This new entity became the first major broadcast network in the United States.
Who owns NBC today and when did Comcast acquire control?
Comcast purchased a controlling interest in NBCUniversal in 2011 and acquired GE's remaining stake in 2013. The network now operates under the umbrella of this massive global conglomerate with headquarters at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
What are the oldest continuously running shows on NBC and when did they start?
Meet the Press debuted in 1947 as one of the longest continuously running series on American television. Today followed shortly after in 1952, establishing a morning news format that persists today.
Which cable channels were launched by NBC News and when did they begin operations?
NBC expanded to cable with the launch of CNBC in 1989 and created MSNBC in 1996 as a joint venture with Microsoft. The Weather Channel joined NBC in 2008 alongside Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.
When did NBC secure rights to broadcast the Summer Olympic Games?
NBC holds American broadcasting rights to the Summer Olympic Games since 1988. Winter Olympic rights were secured starting with the 2002 games.