CBS

CBS Broadcasting Inc., or CBS, is a leading American radio and television network. It is currently one of the most watched television networks in the United State, having hit television shows like CSI: Miami; CSI: New York; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Survivor; The Amazing Race; Cold Case; Big Brother; Criminal Minds; Ghost Whisperer; Numb3rs; Two and a Half Men; Dexter; Without A Trace; and Late Show with David Letterman. Its daytime shows include The Bold and the Beautiful; The Price Is Right; and Guiding Light.

As of 2003, CBS’s shows were viewed in approximately 96.98% of all American households; the network covered over 103 million homes across the country. Additionally, CBS has 204 affiliated stations in the United States and its territories.

The CBS television network is the core of CBS Corporation, which is currently controlled by the National Amusements, Inc., a privately-owned, Massachusetts-based media and entertainment company.

History

The history of CBS can be traced back to the time when William S. Paley purchased the United Independent Broadcaster Inc. in 1927. The company was a network of sixteen independent radio stations and it was renamed to Columbia Broadcasting System. In 1929, CBS rapidly established itself as the home of several famous musical and comedy personalities such as George Burns & Gracie Allen, Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, and Al Jolson. CBS also widened its broadcasting coverage, which enabled it to serve 42 cities across the United States. In 1931, CBS began its first regularly scheduled television broadcasting on an experimental station, W2XAB, in New York City. In 1933, the Columbia News Service was organized. By 1935, CBS had 97 stations, becoming the country’s largest radio network. In the same decade, the first battlefield broadcast in radio news history was reported on CBS. In 1937, CBS was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

During the 1940s, the first color television broadcast from a CBS transmitter atop the Chrysler Building was received in the CBS building at 485 Madison Avenue. At this time, CBS already had 147 stations, and its television network presented the first television broadcast of the National Football League. Ed Sullivan’s show, Toast of the Town, was launched during this decade as well. (The show was later renamed The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955). In 1948, CBS News introduced its first dual radio and television coverage of political conventions.

In 1951, CBS Radio and Television was separated into two divisions. In the same year, CBS aired The World is Yours, its first live coast-to-coast television program and regularly scheduled color television series and the popular show I Love Lucy. In 1958, CBS Television was reorganized into two major operations, the CBS Television Network, which had 243 affiliates; and the CBS Television Stations that owned five stations. In 1963, CBS launched the first-ever “instant replay” of the Army-Navy football game. In 1967, the entire CBS schedule was broadcasted in color.

In 1971, the Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. was officially renamed as CBS Inc.

In 1995, Westinghouse Electric Corporation merged with CBS Inc. and in 1996, Westinghouse and Infinity Broadcasting Corporation agreed to merge. In 1997, it changed its name to CBS Corporation; and in 2000, Viacom merged with CBS to form Viacom Inc.

In 2005, Viacom was split into two, namely: the CBS Corporation, which included the CBS television network; and Viacom, which kept Paramount Pictures.

Related Links:

The history and timeline of CBS, Inc. are illustrated on its official website.

A comprehensive profile of CBS Network is featured on Wikipedia.

The list of CBS shows can be seen on CBS’ official website as well as the full programming schedules.