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RCA spends $1 million to purchase its first station - WEAF - from AT&T.;
RCA creates a new division known as the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) with ownership split among RCA (50%), its parent General Electric (30%) and Westinghouse (20%).
NBC officially starts broadcasting on November 15, 1926.
NBC divides their stations into two networks: the "Red Network" consisting of commercially sponsored entertainment and the "Blue Network" mostly with non-sponsored new and culture broadcasts.
GE is charged with antitrust violations, resulting in the company's decision to divest itself of RCA.
NBC outgrows its 711 Fifth Avenue office in Manhattan, and moves into the RCA Building, where it is still today (now called the Comcast Building).
The Mutual Broadcasting System files a complaint to the FCC claiming NBC and CBS largely controls the national radio station markets.
An FCC report finds that NBC dominates audiences, affiliates and advertising in American radio and orders RCA to divest itself of either NBC Red or NBC Blue.
After losing its final US Supreme Court appeal, RCA sells the "Blue Network", for $8M to the American Broadcasting System, a new company owned by Life Savers magnate Edward J. Noble.
The Blue Network oficially becomes ABC on June 15, 1945, after the sale is completed.
Milton Berle, with Texaco Star Theatre, draws the first large audiences to NBC Television.
The Tonight Show, TV's first successful late-night talk show, debuts on NBC with Steve Allen as host.
Johnny Carson makes his debut as host of The Tonight Show.
Saturday Night Live debuts on NBC.
NBC's radio network is purchased by Westwood One.
NBC acquires Spanish-language network Telemundo from Liberty Media and Sony Pictures Entertainment for $2.7B, beating out CBS's bid.
NBC merges with french media conglomerate Vivendi Universal Entertainment to form NBC Entertainment. GE is still the majority owner.
Comcast purchases a controlling interest in NBC for $6.8B in cash. Comcast acquires GE's remaining stake in 2013.
In April, Comcast's bid to takeover Time Warner Cable (TWC) for $45 billion collapseds over regulatory concerns.
NBC has 10 owned-and-operated stations and 221 affiliation agreements. NBC currently reaches 95.92% of all US households.
