NBC

The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American television network that originally emerged as the subsidiary of electronics manufacturer RCA, which used programming as their marketing tool. Today, the NBC Network is part of the media firm NBC Universal, which is owned by General Electric, a multinational technology and services conglomerate, and Vivendi, a media conglomerate.

NBC now owns and operates ten stations along with over 200 affiliated stations across the United States. It broadcasts an estimate of 5,000 hours of television programming every year, transmitting its signal to approximately 99% of all households in the United States.

NBC Entertainment has produced a notable list of television series that have earned them a number of Emmy Award-nominations, victories, and TV ratings success. Their scripted primetime series include The Office; My Name is Earl; 30 Rock; ER; Law & Order; and Heroes. Famous unscripted series or reality shows include The Biggest Loser; America’s Got Talent; Deal or No Deal; and Celebrity Apprentice. NBC is also home to late night shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Late Night with Conan O’Brien; and Saturday Night Live. NBC also broadcasts NBC News, NBC Sports, and Weather Plus.

History

The National Broadcasting Company or NBC was created by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in 1926. RCA was actually formed in the 1920s as an alliance among companies including General Electric, Westinghouse, AT & T, and United Fruit to serve as a means of marketing radio and television receivers that GE and Westinghouse manufactured. RCA eventually became an independent company and in 1926, formed NBC.

In 1933, NBC moved its corporate headquarters to Rockefeller Center in New York City. In the same year, Bob Hope began his long NBC broadcasting career. In 1939, NBC began its first regular schedule of television service. Its programming was initially composed mostly of sporting events as well as feature films; their first week had no commercials.

NBC made several firsts in the broadcasting industry. In 1941, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted its first commercial TV station license to NBC for WNBT in New York. The first televised World Series was also broadcasted by NBC in 1947. The network’s first TV hit was Texaco Star Theater in 1948. In 1950, it broke new ground for daytime television with the Kate Smith Hour; and in 1951, it launched its first regular coast-to-coast TV network service. Also in the 50s, NBC launched the first network early morning news show, Today; and also started the first compatible color broadcasts, years ahead of other networks. In the 60s, NBC presented the first made-for-television movie, See How They Run, and Johnny Carson began his 30-year run as host of The Tonight Show. In 1975, Saturday Night Live was launched.

The 80s was a good decade for NBC; it produced hit shows like Knight Rider; Cheers; Family Ties; The A-Team; The Cosby Show; Miami Vice; Golden Girls; and Seinfeld. In 1986, GE acquired RCA, making it the parent company of NBC. During the 90s, popular shows were launched such as Frasier, ER and Friends.

In 2003, NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment merged to form a new company called NBC Universal.

NBC interviews featured on Interview Nation come from the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), Today, and MSNBC. CNBC is a cable and satellite television news channel that cover business headlines as well as provide live coverage of world financial markets and features the controversial Hardball with Chris Matthews. The ever popular Today is a morning news show and was the first of its kind. This long running show has been on the air in various forms since 1952. MSNBC, a media partnership between NBC and Microsoft, is a 24-hours new channel featuring the popular news commentary programs Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show.

Related Links:

A comprehensive profile about NBC is presented on Wikipedia.

NBC’s milestones are featured on NBC’s official website.

NBC’s official website features videos of your favorite TV shows as well us updates and web exclusives.