NBC Radio Network#Other programming ventures

The 1926 formation of the National Broadcasting Company was a consolidation and reorganization of earlier network radio operations developed by the American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T) beginning in 1922, in addition to more limited efforts conducted by the "radio group" companies, which consisted of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and its corporate owners, General Electric (GE) and the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company (and, for a period of time, the United Fruit Company).{{r|NYT-RCAGE}}

Organized radio broadcasting started in the early 1920s, with AT&T soon becoming an industry leader. In 1920 and 1921, AT&T concluded a series of patent cross-licensing agreements with the "radio group" companies.{{harvp|Banning|1946|pp=32–40}}. The "radio group" began negotiating under that name through a cross-licensing agreement between GE and Westinghouse, agreed to on July 1, 1921.{{harvp|Banning|1946|p=54}}. Under these agreements, AT&T asserted that it held the sole right to sell commercial time on radio stations, which it called "toll broadcasting", although for the next few years the idea of radio advertising remained controversial.{{harvp|Banning|1946|pp=53–61}}. AT&T also recognized that its longline telephone network could be used to connect radio stations together to form networks to share programming and costs.{{Cite book |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=17 |title=Report on Chain Broadcasting |date=May 1941 |chapter=Early History of Network Broadcasting (1923–1926) |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |pages=5–6 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715131948/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=17 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}

File:Milestone_1922.jpg announcer Helen Hahn in the WEAF studios, {{Circa|1922}}]]

In early 1922, AT&T announced the establishment of a "toll" station in New York City and its intention to develop a nationwide commercial radio network using their Bell System infrastructure. The original plan for the "toll" station was to offer the station for leasing to different operators for fees based on the length of airtime and the specific daypart.{{Cite magazine |date=April 1922 |title=National Radio Broadcast By Bell System |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112074258994&view=1up&seq=1000 |url-status=live |magazine=Science & Invention |volume=IX |issue=12 |page=1144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724141311/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112074258994&view=1up&seq=1000 |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |access-date=February 20, 2023}} Out of the two New York City stations AT&T set up, WEAF emerged as the more successful and served as the key station for AT&T's network development. Although the original plan was to build additional stations throughout the United States, the "broadcasting boom" of 1922 resulted in a total of over 500 assorted broadcasting stations by the end of the year, so AT&T only found it necessary to build one additional outlet, WCAP in Washington, D.C., owned by its Chesapeake & Potomac subsidiary.{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1923 |title=WCAP Gets Cordial Welcome by Public |page=44 |newspaper=Evening Star |location=Washington, District of Columbia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119258697/wcap-gets-cordial-welcome-by-public/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213349/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119258697/wcap-gets-cordial-welcome-by-public/ |url-status=live }}

File:Graham_McNamee_1924.jpg calling the 1924 World Series for the "WEAF chain"]]

AT&T's radio network, commonly called the "WEAF chain", was first developed in the northeastern United States. The first joint broadcast was a one-time effort made on January 4, 1923, when a program WEAF originated was relayed by WNAC in Boston, Massachusetts.{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1923 |title=Radio-Telephony |page=22 |newspaper=The Buffalo News |location=Buffalo, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119259912/radio-telephony/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213353/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119259912/radio-telephony/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1923 |title=Today's Radio Programs |page=2 |newspaper=The Bridgeport Telegram |location=Bridgeport, Connecticut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2628850/weaf-wnac-hook-up/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213358/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2628850/weaf-wnac-hook-up/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1923 |title=Daily Radio Program |page=8 |newspaper=Pittston Gazette |location=Pittston, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2628915/weaf-wnac-hookup2/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213343/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2628915/weaf-wnac-hookup2/ |url-status=live }} The first continuous link was established on July 1, 1923, when Colonel Edward H. R. Green arranged for AT&T to provide WEAF programming for rebroadcast by his station, WMAF at South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1923 |title=Col. Green to Broadcast |page=2 |newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun |location=Lewiston, Maine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119261732/col-green-to-broadcast/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119261732/col-green-to-broadcast/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1923 |title=Round Hills Radio Station Broadcast: New Bedford Fans Pick Up Fine Program From Col. Greene's Estate |page=4 |newspaper=Fall River Daily Evening News |location=Fall River, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119261888/round-hills-radio-station-broadcast/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119261888/round-hills-radio-station-broadcast/ |url-status=live }} The first transcontinental link was made in early 1924, and that fall a coast-to-coast network of 23 stations broadcast a speech by President Calvin Coolidge. By the end of 1925, there were 26 affiliates in the standard "WEAF chain", extending west to St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri.{{r|first}}

One early success for the "WEAF chain" was The Eveready Hour, the first sponsored program to be broadcast over a radio network, paid for by the National Carbon Company.{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1923 |title=Tonight's Radio Programs: "WEAF", New York |page=9 |newspaper=Rutland News |location=Rutland, Vermont |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119336218/tonights-radio-programs-weaf-new/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025426/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119336218/tonights-radio-programs-weaf-new/ |url-status=live }} Debuting over WEAF in December 1923,{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1923 |title=Radio Broadcasting News: Minstrel to Be Presented by Eveready Entertainers—Arline Thomas, Dramatic Soprano, Will Broadcast Recital |page=10 |newspaper=The Brooklyn Citizen |location=Brooklyn, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119334152/radio-broadcasting-news/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025404/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119334152/radio-broadcasting-news/ |url-status=live }} the program quickly grew in popularity; unlike most sponsored programs which typically featured music from a dance orchestra,{{harvp|Banning|1946|pp=153–154}}. it is credited as the first variety program and the first to utilize scripts{{Cite news |date=November 18, 1924 |title=Radio Broadcasts: News and Notes |page=9 |newspaper=Sun-Journal |location=Lewiston, Maine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119333439/radio-broadcasts-news-and-notes/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025351/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119333439/radio-broadcasts-news-and-notes/ |url-status=live }} and dress rehearsals prior to broadcast.{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1923 |title=Battery Minstrels on Tomorrow's Program |page=16 |newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119332981/battery-minstrels-on-tomorrows-program/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025351/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119332981/battery-minstrels-on-tomorrows-program/ |url-status=live }}{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=235–236}}. The Eveready Hour{{'}}s installment on November 4, 1924, was notably interspersed with election returns read by WEAF's Graham McNamee and aired over the WEAF chain until "long after midnight".{{Cite news |date=November 4, 1924 |title=Election Returns by Radio! Tonight from Station WWJ (Connected by wire with WEAF, New York City) (advertisement) |page=4 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119334619/election-returns-by-radio-tonight-from/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119334619/election-returns-by-radio-tonight-from/ |url-status=live }} McNamee already had made another first for the "WEAF chain" one month earlier, calling play-by-play of the 1924 World Series over an eight-station hookup.{{Cite news |date=October 3, 1924 |title=You Can Listen In on Radio to The Big Series |page=1 |newspaper=The News-Herald |location=Franklin, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119335803/you-can-listen-in-on-radio-to-the-big/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221025351/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119335803/you-can-listen-in-on-radio-to-the-big/ |url-status=live }}

On May 11, 1926, AT&T centralized its radio operations into a new subsidiary known as the Broadcasting Company of America.{{Cite news |date=May 12, 1926 |title=On the Air With Mike: Change at WEAF; Past Experimental Stage; No Paper, No X-Words |page=12 |newspaper=The Evening Journal |location=Wilmington, Delaware |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119281771/on-the-air-with-mike-change-at-weaf/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119281771/on-the-air-with-mike-change-at-weaf/ |url-status=live }} Although not widely known at the time, this was done in anticipation of selling the radio network, the result of a management decision that the radio operations were incompatible with the company's primary role as the leading U.S. supplier of telephone services.{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1926 |title=Broadcasting Monopoly Seen in KJZ (sic) Sale |page=1 |newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer |agency=Associated Press |location=Owensboro, Kentucky |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119283053/broadcasting-monopoly-seen-in-kjz-sic/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213401/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119283053/broadcasting-monopoly-seen-in-kjz-sic/ |url-status=live }}{{harvp|Banning|1946|pp=288–290}}.

File:Aeolian_Hall_(1923).jpg in New York City was home to WJY–WJZ and the "WJZ chain" of the "radio group".{{Cite magazine |date=April 1923 |title=Aeolian Hall, New York |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011441048&view=1up&seq=468 |magazine=Radio Broadcast |volume=2 |issue=6 |page=442 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812211212/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011441048&view=1up&seq=468 |url-status=live }}]]

The "radio group" quickly recognized the value of network programming, but was badly handicapped in its attempts to effectively compete. AT&T's assertion that only it could sell radio advertising meant that the radio group stations had to be commercial-free, and thus were financed by their owners, which soon became a major drain on company profits. The radio group efforts centered on WJZ, a Newark, New Jersey, station RCA acquired from Westinghouse and moved to New York City on May 14, 1923,{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1923 |title=WJZ Transfers Allegiance |page=16 |newspaper=Fall River Globe |location=Fall River, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119256926/wjz-transfers-allegiance/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119256926/wjz-transfers-allegiance/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1923 |title=Curtain Falls on WJZ, Newark: The Passing of an Old Friend; "WJZ Signing Off---Good Night" |page=1:Radio |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Post |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119256729/curtain-falls-on-wjz-newark-the/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119256729/curtain-falls-on-wjz-newark-the/ |url-status=live }} the same day WJY launched as a time-share, also owned by RCA and broadcasting from WJZ's Aeolian Hall facilities.{{Cite magazine |date=July 1923 |title=Radio Broadcast Central |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015050612020&view=1up&seq=692 |magazine=The Wireless Age |volume=10 |issue=10 |pages=40–41 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816151342/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015050612020&view=1up&seq=692 |url-status=live }} RCA then inaugurated WRC in Washington, D.C., as a time-share with WCAP on August 1, 1923; much of RCA's early efforts involved linking WRC and WJZ just as WCAP was already doing for WEAF.{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1923 |title=New Broadcasting Stations For Radio Fans of the Capital |page=19 |newspaper=Evening Star |location=Washington, District of Columbia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119257766/new-broadcasting-stations-for-radio/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119257766/new-broadcasting-stations-for-radio/ |url-status=live }} However, AT&T generally refused access to its high-quality telephone lines to competitors, so these efforts generally tried to use telegraph lines, which were found to be incapable of good quality audio transmissions. Use of high-powered stations and shortwave connections were also investigated, but none of these approaches matched the reliability and quality of AT&T's telephone links.{{Cite magazine |last=Binns |first=Jack |date=July 1924 |title=Setting the Pace in Radio |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015059517386&view=1up&seq=53 |url-status=live |magazine=Popular Science |volume=105 |issue=1 |page=65 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113194033/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015059517386&view=1up&seq=53 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2023}}

The first RCA network broadcast occurred on November 17, 1923, when WJZ rebroadcast play-by-play of a Princeton Tigers–Harvard Crimson college football game over GE's WGY in Schenectady, New York, linked together via the Western Union system.{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1923 |title=WGY-WJZ Linked For Big Events |page=26 |newspaper=The Buffalo News |location=Buffalo, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119278613/wgy-wjz-linked-for-big-events/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213409/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119278613/wgy-wjz-linked-for-big-events/ |url-status=live }} The first attempt at using shortwave for chain broadcasting took place on March 7, 1924, when Westinghouse's KFKX in Hastings, Nebraska—constructed as an experimental repeater for KDKA and supplanting KDPM in Cleveland, Ohio{{Cite magazine |last1=Little |first1=Donald G. |last2=Falknor |first2=Frank P. |date=January 1924 |title=Radio Station KFKX |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015080387171&view=1up&seq=33 |magazine=The Electric Journal |volume=XXI |issue=1 |pages=25–30 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113193959/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015080387171&view=1up&seq=33 |url-status=live }}—was part of a four-station network involving WJZ, WGY and KDKA, with KGO in San Francisco receiving KFKX's signal.{{r|PopSci192407a}} While that experimental relay suffered from "barely distinguishable" audio on KGO's end, a second attempt (also including WRC) on November 15, 1924, was judged a transcontinental success as KGO was better able to pick up KFKX.{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1924 |title=Transcontinental Radio Relay Makes Successful Record |page=41 |newspaper=Buffalo Morning Express |location=Buffalo, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119276696/transcontinental-radio-relay-makes/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119276696/transcontinental-radio-relay-makes/ |url-status=live }} The "WJZ chain" saw little growth compared to AT&T's efforts. President Coolidge's March 1925 inaugural speech was sent over an AT&T transcontinental network of 23 stations, but the WJZ chain's broadcast of the speech was carried by only four stations, all located in the East.{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1925 |title=Inaugural To Be Broadcast To All Parts Of Country |page=4 |newspaper=Harrisburg Telegraph |location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119279956/inaugural-to-be-broadcast-to-all-parts/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213355/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119279956/inaugural-to-be-broadcast-to-all-parts/ |url-status=live }}[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=18 "The RCA Network"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126173721/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=18 |date=January 26, 2023 }}, Report on Chain Broadcasting, Federal Communications Commission, May 1941, pp. 6–7.

File:WEAF_and_WJZ_Chains.jpg

A few weeks after AT&T consolidated its radio operations into the Broadcasting Company of America subsidiary, it agreed to sell BCA's assets to RCA for approximately $1 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1000000|1926}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}),{{r|Oaklan19260913p 12}} a deal made public on July 22, 1926.{{r|Messen19260722p1}} This sale transferred ownership of WEAF to RCA; included was WEAF's network of 15 stations,{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1926 |title=Sale of WEAF Will Not Affect Policy of Station: Popular Personnel Will Still Remain |page=5 |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |location=Asbury Park, New Jersey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119282592/sale-of-weaf-will-not-affect-policy-of/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119282592/sale-of-weaf-will-not-affect-policy-of/ |url-status=live }} plus an agreement by AT&T to make its telephone lines readily available for networking.{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Robert |date=September 13, 1926 |title=Price Paid for WEAF Sets New Record in Radio |page=B12 |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |agency=Consolidated Press Association |location=Oakland, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119271276/price-paid-for-weaf-sets-new-record-in/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |quote= |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213404/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119271276/price-paid-for-weaf-sets-new-record-in/ |url-status=live }} (Note: "Robert Mack" was a house byline used by multiple Consolidated Press reporters.)|{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1926 |title=WEAF Will Lead U.S. Broadcasting Service |page=B12 |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |agency=Associated Press |location=Oakland, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119271546/weaf-will-lead-us-broadcasting-service/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119271546/weaf-will-lead-us-broadcasting-service/ |url-status=live }}}} In a separate deal, WCAP was sold to RCA on July 28, 1926, its broadcast hours ceded to time-share partner WRC three days later.{{Cite news |last=Fagan |first=William J. |date=August 9, 1926 |title=WCAP Has Been Disposed Of |page=3 |newspaper=The Plain Speaker |agency=United Press |location=Hazleton, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119275802/wcap-has-been-disposed-of/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213411/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119275802/wcap-has-been-disposed-of/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1926 |title=WCAP Station Sale Second Within Week: Fans Will Not Lose By Program Transfer To WRC |page=15 |newspaper=The Evening Sun |location=Baltimore, Maryland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119275274/wcap-station-sale-second-within-week/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213349/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119275274/wcap-station-sale-second-within-week/ |url-status=live }} Variety regarded the sale as an economical one for AT&T, as the WEAF chain generated an annual income of $500,000, with little hope of turning a profit, "which even an affluent corporation like (AT&T) takes into consideration".{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1926 |title=Declares WEAF Sale Was Costly |page=2 |newspaper=The Journal |location=Meriden, Connecticut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119274300/declares-weaf-sale-was-costly/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119274300/declares-weaf-sale-was-costly/ |url-status=live }} While the deal was criticized for granting RCA a monopoly on broadcasting, a charge RCA denied,{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1926 |title=Denies WEAF Sale is Monopoly Move: Radio Corporation Chief Says Purchase Is Step to Develop Broadcasting Art—U. S. May Block Plans |page=6 |newspaper=The Indiana Gazette |location=Indiana, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119285976/denies-weaf-sale-is-monopoly-move/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213348/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119285976/denies-weaf-sale-is-monopoly-move/ |url-status=live }} then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover declined to publicly comment; Chief Radio Supervisor W. D. Terrell stated that neither he or anyone else in the Commerce Department had legal jurisdiction to reject the deal inasmuch as they could not prevent a store from selling bread or meat.{{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Thomas |date=August 1, 1926 |title=Sale of WEAF May Renew Radio Monopoly Discussion |page=10:4 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Daily Post |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119284631/sale-of-weaf-may-renew-radio-monopoly/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119284631/sale-of-weaf-may-renew-radio-monopoly/ |url-status=live }}

File:DavidSarnoff_1922.jpg]]

On September 13, 1926, RCA chairman of the board Owen D. Young and president James G. Harbord announced the formation of the National Broadcasting Company, Inc., to begin operations upon RCA's acquisition of WEAF on November 15.{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1926 |title=To Inaugurate Radio Service |page=4 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119255125/to-inaugurate-radio-service/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119255125/to-inaugurate-radio-service/ |url-status=live }} A widely placed full-page company advertisement stated that: "The purpose of the National Broadcasting Company will be to provide the best program available for broadcasting in the United States. ... It is hoped that arrangements may be made so that every event of national importance may be broadcast widely throughout the United States."{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1926 |title=Announcing the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (advertisement) |page=21 |newspaper=The Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119272114/announcing-the-national-broadcasting/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213349/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119272114/announcing-the-national-broadcasting/ |url-status=live }} As part of a renegotiation of the cross-licensing agreements, NBC was also permitted to accept advertising. The purchase of WEAF and NBC's formation was seen as an achievement for RCA's general manager David Sarnoff,{{r|Pittsb19260801p 44}} who was later regarded as the founder of NBC.{{Cite news |last=Jensen |first=Elizabeth |date=February 12, 2000 |title=Goldenson Is Remembered as the Visionary Behind ABC |page=F2 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119287679/goldenson-is-remembered-as-the/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119287679/goldenson-is-remembered-as-the/ |url-status=live }}

NBC's network operations were officially launched with a gala broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on November 15, 1926. In anticipation, one newspaper reported: "The most pretentious broadcasting program ever presented, featuring among other stars of the theatrical, concert and radio field, some of whom have never been heard on the air, will mark the introduction of the National Broadcasting company to the radio public Monday evening", with NBC president Merlin H. Aylesworth characterizing the event as "a four-hour program beginning at 8 p.m., which will live long in their memories as an occasion marking another milestone in the history of radio broadcasting".{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1926 |title=Program Planned by Radio Company |page=18 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119255713/program-planned-by-radio-company/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119255713/program-planned-by-radio-company/ |url-status=live }} Carl Schlegel of the Metropolitan Opera opened the inaugural broadcast, which also featured Will Rogers and Mary Garden.{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1926 |title=Radio – Notes and Programs for the Day |page=7 |newspaper=The North Adams Transcript |location=North Adams, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119288751/radio-notes-and-programs-for-the-day/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119288751/radio-notes-and-programs-for-the-day/ |url-status=live }} This broadcast, which included a remote link from KYW in Chicago, was coordinated through WEAF, and carried by twenty-two eastern and Midwestern stations, located as far west as WDAF in Kansas City, Missouri.{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1926 |title=Radio Treat Tonight |page=14 |work=The Reading Eagle |location=Reading, Pennsylvania |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uowhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ypcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4785%2C3248250 |url-status=live |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129175805/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uowhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ypcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4785%2C3248250 |archive-date=November 29, 2022}}

{{Main|Blue Network}}

File:NBC Networks Feb 1933.jpg

Following NBC's formation, RCA inaugurated a second network on January 1, 1927; called "the 'blue' network", it was led by WJZ along with Westinghouse's WBZ, KDKA and KYW;{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1926 |title=WJZ notice |page=10 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Daily Post |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4517908/wjz-notice/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4517908/wjz-notice/ |url-status=live }} with the WEAF-led chain concurrently named "the 'red' network".{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1926 |title=More Concerts By Victor Company: First One to Be Given Evening of New Year's Day. |page=28 |newspaper=The Decatur Daily Review |location=Decatur, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119524431/more-concerts-by-victor-company-first/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180231/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119524431/more-concerts-by-victor-company-first/ |url-status=live }} The debut program, sponsored by the Victor Talking Machine Company,{{Efn|Coincidentally, Victor Talking Machine Company was purchased by RCA outright in 1929.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/sellingsoundscom00suis |url-access=registration |quote=jw seligman victor talking machines. |title=Selling Sounds|last=Suisman|first=David|date=May 31, 2009 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-03337-5|location=Cambridge, MA and London, England|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sellingsoundscom00suis/page/268 268]|language=en}}}} was carried on both chains and subsequently alternated between "red" and "blue" on a weekly basis.{{Cite news |date=December 19, 1926 |title=Four Noted Artists To Open New Radio Series: Concerts Will Begin January 1 |page=8, Part 2, Section 4 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore, Maryland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119524645/four-noted-artists-to-open-new-radio/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180231/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119524645/four-noted-artists-to-open-new-radio/ |url-status=live }}

WEAF historian William Peck Banning suggested the "red" and "blue" names originated from circuit maps drafted in colored pencil by Bell System engineers, which carried over as these circuits began to be used exclusively for radio, thus the former "WEAF chain"—mapped out in red—became "the 'red' network".{{harvp|Banning|1946|pp=163–164}}. RCA's Radio Age magazine outlined a similar reason in 1942, four years before Banning's book was published.{{Cite magazine |date=October 1942 |title="Red Network" Out As NBC Designation: It Becomes Unnecessary Following Divorce From Blue; Origin Recalled |url=https://archive.org/details/radioageresearch194245newyrich/page/n27/ |magazine=Radio Age |publisher=Radio Corporation of America |volume=2 |issue=1 |page=23 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} Other possible explanations for the names included push-pins engineers used to mark affiliates of WEAF (red pins) and WJZ (blue pins),{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite web |last=McLeod |first=Elizabeth |date=February 15, 2000 |title=Red and Blue Networks (McLeod) |url=https://jeff560.tripod.com/am1.html |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=History of American Broadcasting |publisher=Jeff Miller |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130103246/https://jeff560.tripod.com/am1.html |url-status=live }}|{{Cite web |title=November 15, 1926...The First NBC Radio Broadcast, Part 3 |url=https://eyesofageneration.com/november-15-1926-the-first-nbc-radio-broadcast-part-3the-color-networks/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=Eyes Of A Generation...Television's Living History |date=November 15, 2014 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180232/https://eyesofageneration.com/november-15-1926-the-first-nbc-radio-broadcast-part-3the-color-networks/ |url-status=live }}}} the colors of wires used for switchboards,{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1936 |title=Out of the Air: Color Conscious |page=B6 |newspaper=Evansville Press |location=Evansville, Indiana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120482270/out-of-the-air-color-conscious/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309061500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120482270/out-of-the-air-color-conscious/ |url-status=live }} or from jack panel connections.{{cite web |last=Schneider |first=John F. |title=NBC Pacific Coast Network |url=http://theradiohistorian.org/nbc.htm |website=theradiohistorian.org |publisher=John F. Schneider & Associates, LLC |access-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223231523/http://theradiohistorian.org/nbc.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |date=1997 |quote=John Schneider is a radio historian, and a Fellow in History of the California Historical Radio Society. He contributes articles on radio history to Radio World and The Monitoring Times.}} The names were not commonplace as newspapers also referred to "NBC-WEAF" or "NBC-WJZ";{{r|RedBlueMeaning}} NBC made "NBC Red" and "NBC Blue" official network designations by 1936.{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1936 |title=News of the Radio Stations |page=14 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120482128/news-of-the-radio-stations/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309061503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120482128/news-of-the-radio-stations/ |url-status=live }}

As 1927 began, KFI in Los Angeles and KPO in San Francisco were successfully transmitting live programming to a regional network of their own, dubbed the "Orange Network",{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1927 |title=Peace On Earth New KHJ Motto |page=5, Part II |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532421/peace-on-earth-new-khj-motto/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180232/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532421/peace-on-earth-new-khj-motto/ |url-status=live }} notably originating play-by-play of the 1927 Rose Bowl{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1927 |title=35 Stations to Broadcast Coolidge Talk |page=6 |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |location=San Francisco, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119530184/35-stations-to-broadcast-coolidge-talk/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119530184/35-stations-to-broadcast-coolidge-talk/ |url-status=live }} and a live performance of Carmen from the Philharmonic Auditorium on January 23, 1927; the latter broadcast was additionally relayed over CNVR in Vancouver, WAMD in Minneapolis, and WGY.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 1927 |title=Opera, 'Carmen', Is Radiocast Successfully |page=4B |newspaper=The Fresno Morning Republican |location=Fresno, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532531/opera-carmen-is-radiocast/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180230/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532531/opera-carmen-is-radiocast/ |url-status=live }} Affiliating the chain with NBC, the Orange Network relayed an address by President Coolidge that jointly aired over the Red and Blue networks on February 22.{{r|SanFra19270205p6}}{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1927 |title=President Will Be On Air Today: Thirty-eight Stations Linked for Holiday Broadcast |page=12, Part II |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532263/president-will-be-on-air-today/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180231/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119532263/president-will-be-on-air-today/ |url-status=live }} The Orange Network formally relaunched as a part of NBC on April 5, 1927, adding KGO and three other stations.{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1927 |title=Radio Fans Wait For Big Event: Tuesday at 8 P.M. the Pacific Coast Chain of Stations Will Start. |page=6 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119533494/radio-fans-wait-for-big-event-tuesday/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180234/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119533494/radio-fans-wait-for-big-event-tuesday/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1927 |title=Tuesday Inauguration of the Orange Network: Big Program on Chain of 7 Stations |page=34 |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |location=San Francisco, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119530544/tuesday-inauguration-of-the-orange/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180229/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119530544/tuesday-inauguration-of-the-orange/ |url-status=live }} NBC eventually utilized the Orange Network to relay Red Network programming to the Pacific states, with the Red Network relaying Orange Network programming for the Eastern Seaboard.{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1927 |title=KFI-KPO Network Linked to Nation Wide Chain |page=8 |newspaper=Modesto News-Herald |location=Modesto, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2625630/orange-network-2627/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223180232/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2625630/orange-network-2627/ |url-status=live }}

File:GE_Building_(30_Rock)_(425400793).jpg, NBC's headquarters since 1933]]

At the same time, NBC began acquiring radio stations to extend its reach, beginning with KGO and KOA in Denver, Colorado, from GE in March 1930.{{Unbulleted list|{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=38516 |title= History Cards for KGO|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)|{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=43422 |title= History Cards for KOA|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)}} Cleveland affiliate WTAM, a {{val|50000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} clear-channel station, was purchased from Cleveland Electric Illuminating and the Van Sweringen brothers on October 16, 1930.{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1930 |title=National Chain Gets Another Big Station: National Broadcasting Company Takes Over Station at Cleveland |page=4 |newspaper=The News and Observer |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119727843/national-chain-gets-another-big-station/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119727843/national-chain-gets-another-big-station/ |url-status=live }} Chicago station WENR, time-sharing with WLS, was purchased in July 1931 from Samuel Insull for $1 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1000000|1931}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), a purchase price compared to the then-record set with WEAF in 1926.{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1931 |title=NBC buys WENR |page=7 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14994260/nbc-buys-wenr/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14994260/nbc-buys-wenr/ |url-status=live }} WENR was paired with Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) affiliate WMAQ when NBC acquired it from the Chicago Daily News on November 1, 1931; like WTAM, WMAQ and WENR-WLS were also clear-channels.{{Cite news |date=September 6, 1931 |title=WMAQ Annexed as Associate of NBC: Pioneer Chicago Daily News Station Becomes Link in Radio Chain. |page=2, Section IV |newspaper=The Commercial Appeal |location=Memphis, Tennessee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119727978/wmaq-annexed-as-associate-of-nbc/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119727978/wmaq-annexed-as-associate-of-nbc/ |url-status=live }} KPO was then purchased from Hale Bros. on June 10, 1932, officially pairing it with KGO.{{Cite news |date=June 11, 1932 |title=U.S. Approves KPO Lease to NBC System |page=24 |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |location=San Francisco, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728584/us-approves-kpo-lease-to-nbc-system/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065617/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728584/us-approves-kpo-lease-to-nbc-system/ |url-status=live }} The previous October, KPO became one of the lead stations for the NBC Gold Network, a regional chain of stations that also relayed Blue Network programming.{{Cite news |date=October 23, 1931 |title=Today's Radio Programs |page=2 |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |location=Tacoma, Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728821/todays-radio-programs/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065617/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728821/todays-radio-programs/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1931 |title=On the air to night |page=11 |newspaper=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News |location=Hollywood, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728786/on-the-air-to-night/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226065613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119728786/on-the-air-to-night/ |url-status=live }} WRC was paired with WMAL in 1933 when NBC took over operations of that station from founding owner M. A. Leese via a lease agreement.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=62852 |title= History Cards for WSBN|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)

NBC's operations, including WEAF and WJZ, moved to 711 Fifth Avenue in 1927, designed by architect Lloyd Brown. The studios featured elements of Gothic architecture, the Roman Forum and Louis XIV in stark contrast to radio studios of that era; Raymond Hood designed the studios under the belief a well-designed studio could act as an audience for the performers. Due to NBC's rapid growth, the network outgrew these facilities.{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Gray (architectural historian) |date=February 17, 2010 |title=Streetscapes: Where the Peacock Nested and the Mice Presided |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/realestate/21streets.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223005231/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/realestate/21streets.html?8dpc |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |issn=0362-4331}} RCA agreed to a lease in May 1930 as the lead tenant for 30 Rockefeller Plaza which was still under construction, including a studio complex for NBC and theaters for RCA-owned RKO Radio Pictures.{{cite news |date=June 17, 1930 |title=Rockefeller Begins Work in the Fall on 5th Av. Radio City |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/06/17/96157691.pdf |access-date=November 10, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174038/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/06/17/96157691.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live }} Named the RCA Building in May 1932,{{cite magazine |date=May 15, 1932 |title=The RCA Building |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1932/1932-05-15-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=2 |issue=10 |pages=15 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032821/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1932/1932-05-15-BC.pdf |url-status=live }} the deal was arranged through the Rockefeller Center's founder and financier, John D. Rockefeller Jr., along with GE chairman Owen D. Young, David Sarnoff and Raymond Hood.RCA Lead Tenant of Rockefeller Center, see: {{cite book |last1=Harr |first1=John Esnor |url=https://archive.org/details/rockefellercentu00harr/page/326 |title=The Rockefeller Century |last2=Johnson |first2=Peter J. |publisher=Scribner's |year=1988 |isbn=0-684-18936-4 |location=New York City |page=[https://archive.org/details/rockefellercentu00harr/page/326 326]}} RCA had been spun off as its own fully-independent company in 1932 through a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice resolving antitrust charges; Westinghouse and GE gave up their ownership stakes in the company, while restrictions created through RCA's cross-licensing agreements for nearly 4,000 patents were also removed.{{Cite magazine |date=December 1, 1932 |title=RCA and Associates Separate Under Consent Decree Terms |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1932/1932-12-01-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=3 |issue=11 |page=16 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030523/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1932/1932-12-01-BC.pdf |url-status=live }} A ceremonial broadcast over both NBC networks on November 11, 1933, formally opened the RCA Building's "Radio City" studios, with Sarnoff, Young, NBC president Merlin H. Aylesworth and BBC Director-General John Reith participating in a live transatlantic conversation. "Radio City" occupied ten floors of the RCA Building with thirty-five studios supported by {{Convert|1250|mi|km|lk=on|abbr=out}} of wiring and {{Convert|89|mi|km|abbr=out}} of cables.{{Cite news |date=November 12, 1933 |title=Studios Opened In Radio City, World Is Told |page=272 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120074308/studios-opened-in-radio-city-world-is/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304033922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120074308/studios-opened-in-radio-city-world-is/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|List of NBC Radio Network programs}}

File:Jerry_colonna_bob_hope_1940_nbc.JPG with sidekick Jerry Colonna (left). Save for a brief run on CBS in 1935, Hope's radio shows aired on NBC Blue and Red from 1937 through 1950 in what became a 60-year career with NBC.{{cite web |last=Errico |first=Marcus |date=October 23, 1996 |title=Bob Hope Liberated from NBC After 60 Years |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/33692/bob-hope-liberated-from-nbc-after-60-years |access-date=August 18, 2012 |publisher=E! Entertainment Television |archive-date=March 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323045516/http://www.eonline.com/news/33692/bob-hope-liberated-from-nbc-after-60-years |url-status=live }}]]During much of radio's "Golden Age", both NBC networks—in particular NBC Red—were home to multiple popular performers and programs. The two networks originally did not have distinct identities or "formats" and, beginning in 1929, shared use of the distinctive three-note "NBC chimes". The WEAF-led Red Network, with a robust affiliate lineup, was seen as carrying more popular, "big budget" sponsored programs in comparison to the WJZ-led Blue Network, which had a smaller lineup of often lower-powered stations. Both networks shared sales executives, off- and on-air staff, and production and studio facilities; it was not until {{Circa|1938}} that a concerted effort began to distinguish NBC Red and NBC Blue.{{r|RedBlueMeaning}} One 1939 story in Time magazine described NBC Blue as "... long considered a weak sister to NBC's Red Network".{{Cite magazine |date=August 25, 1939 |title=Radio: Platters for the Pacific |url=https://time.com/vault/issue/1939-08-21/page/36/ |magazine=Time |volume=XXXIV |issue=8 |page=34 |access-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228233530/https://time.com/vault/issue/1939-08-21/page/36/ |url-status=live }}

Most network programs were owned by their sponsors and produced by advertising agencies. For example, Lum and Abner was sponsored by Quaker Oats in 1931 when WMAQ originated the show regionally, became a sustaining program when it debuted over NBC Red in 1932, then sponsored by Ford the following year (originating from WTAM). Moving to the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1934 and to NBC Blue in 1935, Horlicks became the sponsor.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=412–415}}. NBC Blue sometimes carried newer and untried programs that, if successful, moved "up" to the Red Network at the behest of the sponsor,{{r|RedBlueMeaning}} these shows included Amos 'n' Andy,{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=31–36}}. Fibber McGee and Molly,{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=245–252}}. Information, Please!,{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=341–346}}. The Bob Hope Show{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=105–109}}. and The Jack Benny Program.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=353–363}}.

File:Fibber_McGee_and_Molly_in_1937.jpg". Debuting on NBC Blue in 1935, their show moved to NBC Red in 1938, where it lasted until 1955.{{r|Dunning1998p105}}]]This practice of moving popular shows over to NBC Red, coupled with NBC Blue's reputation as a weaker network, likely originated the misperception that NBC Blue solely featured sustaining programs (e.g., news, cultural and educational programs which had no sponsor) and NBC Red solely featured commercial fare.{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1948 |title=Miss Dunbar Speaker at Sidney Club |page=3 |newspaper=The Oneonta Star |location=Oneonta, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119534744/miss-dunbar-speaker-at-sidney-club/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223200026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119534744/miss-dunbar-speaker-at-sidney-club/ |url-status=live }} As it was, networks had limited control over their schedules as advertisers bought available time periods for programs, regardless of what other sponsors broadcast in other time slots. Networks rented out studio facilities used to produce shows and sold air-time to sponsors.{{r|RedBlueMeaning}} Sustaining programs were the only programs produced by the networks and were used to fill unsold time periods (affiliated stations had the option to "break away" from the network to air a local program during these periods) but the network had the "option" to take back the time period if a network sponsor wanted the time period.[http://jeff560.tripod.com/am11.html "Network Option Time"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513064045/http://jeff560.tripod.com/am11.html|date=May 13, 2008}} by Elizabeth McLeod, July 15, 2000. Dramatic programs, which comprised only 2 percent of program time on NBC Red in 1926, accounted for 25 percent of the network's airtime by 1942.{{Cite magazine |last=Trammell |first=Niles |date=October 1944 |title=18 Years in Broadcasting |url=https://archive.org/details/radioageresearch194245newyrich/page/n308/mode/2up |magazine=Radio Age |publisher=Radio Corporation of America |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=5–7 |access-date=February 28, 2023}}

The network provided a rich variety of classical concert broadcasts, including performances by the Metropolitan Opera (1931–1940){{Harvp|Dunning|1998|p=455}}. and the NBC Symphony Orchestra (1937–1954) conducted by Arturo Toscanini.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=174–180}}. Notable series include the General Motors Concerts (1929–1937) and The Eastman School of Music Symphony (1932–1942).{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=176–177}}. From 1935 to 1950, it presented numerous live remote broadcasts of popular music from ballrooms, hotels, supper clubs and Army camps. Among the band leaders with regular time slots on NBC were Carmen Cavallaro, Nat King Cole, Xavier Cugat, Tommy Dorsey, Eddy Duchin, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller, Leo Reisman, and Paul Whiteman.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=60–74}}. NBC's radio news service featured regular broadcasts by journalists and commentators, including Morgan Beatty, Alex Dreier, Pauline Frederick, Floyd Gibbons, John Gunther, Richard Harkness, George Hicks, H. V. Kaltenborn, John MacVane, Adela Rogers St. Johns, Dorothy Thompson, Edward Tomlinson, and Hendrik Willem van Loon.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=489–506}}.

{{main|List of 1939 affiliates of the NBC Red Network}}

File:NBCRadioNetwork.jpgFrom the network's formation, NBC was a dominant force on the radio landscape. In 1932, out of the 40 clear-channel stations licensed by the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), 28 were affiliated with either NBC network, 13 were affiliated with CBS, and two were independents.{{Cite news |date=April 25, 1932 |title=The Empire of the Air: The Broadcasting Lineup |page=12 |newspaper=Stockton Evening and Sunday Record |agency=Ventura Free Press |location=Stockton, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119861521/the-empire-of-the-air-the-broadcasting/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228063401/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119861521/the-empire-of-the-air-the-broadcasting/ |url-status=live }} By 1939, the Red and Blue networks were competing with CBS and the Mutual Broadcasting System in providing nationwide coverage. NBC advertising rate cards of the period listed "basic" and "supplemental" affiliated stations. Advertisers were encouraged to buy time for their programs on the full "basic" line-up (plus any "supplemental" stations they wished) but this was open to negotiation. It was not unusual for Red Network advertisers to place shows on Blue Network stations in certain markets (and the other way around). Supplemental stations were generally located in smaller cities away from the network trunk lines. Such stations were usually offered to advertisers on both the Red and Blue Network line-ups.[http://jeff560.tripod.com/am1.html "Red and Blue Networks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515020416/http://jeff560.tripod.com/am1.html |date=May 15, 2008 }} by Elizabeth McLeod, February 15, 2000.

As of early 1939, the Red Network was divided into five geographical regions. The East consisted of 16 basic and 16 supplemental stations; the Midwest had 8 basic and 15 supplemental stations; the South had 7 basic and 30 supplemental stations; Mountain had 2 basic and 9 supplemental stations, and Pacific had 5 basic and 7 supplemental stations. For example, in Louisville, Kentucky, a larger market, the basic station was WAVE, the supplemental was WGRC—also a primary Mutual affiliate."Stations That Make Up the Networks", (Hagerstown, Maryland) Daily Mail, January 14, 1939, p. 9.

File:NBC Red Network advertisement (1942).jpg

Concerned that NBC's control of two national radio networks gave it too much power over the industry, in May 1941 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) promulgated a rule, the Report on Chain Broadcasting, designed to force NBC to divest one of them.{{Cite book |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=104 |title=Report on Chain Broadcasting |date=May 1941 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |page=92 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201054512/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b78643&view=1up&seq=104 |archive-date=February 1, 2020 |url-status=live |via=HathiTrust }} RCA fought the divestiture order, but divided NBC into two companies in case an appeal was lost. The Blue network became the "NBC Blue Network, Inc." and the NBC Red became "NBC Red Network, Inc." Effective January 10, 1942, the two networks had their operations formally divorced, and the Blue Network was referred to on the air as either "Blue" or "Blue Network," with its official corporate name being Blue Network Company, Inc.{{Cite news |date=January 10, 1942 |title=New Company Takes Over NBC Blue Net |page=5 |work=The Fresno Bee |agency=Associated Press |location=Fresno, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119024227/new-company-takes-over-nbc-blue-net/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219014622/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119024227/new-company-takes-over-nbc-blue-net/ |url-status=live }} Consequently, the NBC Red Network became known on-air as simply "NBC" on September 1, 1942.{{r|RadioAge194210p23}}

The FCC order was ultimately upheld by the U.S Supreme Court in National Broadcasting Co. v. United States, asserting that the FCC had authority to regulate the networks and their associations with affiliates.{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119512799/supreme-court-upholds-fcc-on/|date=May 12, 1943|page=7|title=Supreme Court Upholds FCC On Radio-Chain Regulations|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Buffalo News|location=Buffalo, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 23, 2023|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119512799/supreme-court-upholds-fcc-on/|url-status=live}}|{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119512752/decision-to-mean-many-changes-in/|date=May 12, 1943|page=7|title=Decision to Mean Many Changes in Broadcasting|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Buffalo News|location=Buffalo, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 23, 2023|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064012/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119512752/decision-to-mean-many-changes-in/|url-status=live}}}}{{ussc|name=NBC, Inc. v. United States|volume=319|page=190|pin=|year=1943}}. Consequently, the Blue Network was sold on July 30, 1943, to candy magnate Edward J. Noble for $8 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|8000000|1943}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{Cite news |date=October 13, 1943 |title=Blue Network Sold To Edward J. Noble |page=1 |newspaper=Great Falls Tribune |location=Great Falls, Montana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119027487/blue-network-sold-to-edward-j-noble/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219014622/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119027487/blue-network-sold-to-edward-j-noble/ |url-status=live }} When the deal closed on October 12, the Blue Network came under ownership of "American Broadcasting System, Inc."{{Cite news |date=October 13, 1943 |title=Blue Network Sold To Edward J. Noble |page=1 |newspaper=Great Falls Tribune |agency=Associated Press |location=Great Falls, Montana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119027487/blue-network-sold-to-edward-j-noble/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219014622/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119027487/blue-network-sold-to-edward-j-noble/ |url-status=live }} The Blue Network was formally renamed as the American Broadcasting Company on June 15, 1945.{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Turner |date=June 13, 1945 |title=Moving Day For Radio Nears |page=10 |newspaper=The Birmingham News |location=Birmingham, Alabama |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60877733/moving-day-for-radio-nears/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013235759/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60877733/moving-day-for-radio-nears/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|History of NBC#Television|RCA#Television}}

NBC and RCA were one of the key forces in the development of television in the 1930s and 1940s, dating back to New York City experimental station W2XBS in 1928.{{Cite web |title=Felix the Cat |url=http://www.earlytelevision.org/felix.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014042653/http://earlytelevision.org/felix.html |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=June 4, 2012 |website=earlytelevision.org}} Before the American entry into World War II in 1941, W2XBS was officially licensed as WNBT (channel 1).{{cite web |date=November 19, 2008 |title=Television Programs in 1941 |url=http://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807200849/http://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |publisher=TV Obscurities}}{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=R.W. |date=July 6, 1941 |title=Television Goes Into the Entertainment Field as a New Merchandising Medium |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/06/archives/television-goes-into-the-entertainment-field-as-a-new-merchandising.html |access-date=October 16, 2019 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052155/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/06/archives/television-goes-into-the-entertainment-field-as-a-new-merchandising.html |url-status=live }} NBC also launched W2XWG, an experimental Apex station, in April 1939; after planned FM station W51NY failed due to World War II shortages preventing the station's {{val|10000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} transmitter{{Cite magazine |last=Hanson |first=O. B. |date=March 1942 |title=NBC New York FM Station to go to 10,000 Watts |url=https://archive.org/details/Radio-Craft_1942_03/page/n19/mode/1up |magazine=Radio-Craft |volume=XIII |issue=7 |pages=402–403 |access-date=February 22, 2023}} from being built, NBC converted W2XWG to commercial operation in 1944 as WEAF-FM.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=84018 |title= History Cards for WQHT|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) In order to further align the network's radio flagship with the network, on November 1, 1946, WEAF and WEAF-FM changed call signs to WNBC and WNBC-FM, respectively.{{Cite magazine |date=October 1946 |title=WEAF, Key NBC Outlet Changes Call to WNBC |url=https://archive.org/details/nbctransmitter1111nati/page/n122/mode/1up |magazine=NBC Transmitter |volume=11 |issue=8 |page=5 |access-date=February 22, 2023}} West Coast flagship KPO followed suit, becoming KNBC on November 23, 1947.{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite magazine |date=November 17, 1947 |title=Call letters of KPO are changed to KNBC |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-11-17-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting-Telecasting |volume=33 |issue=20 |page=16 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030400/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-11-17-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}|{{Cite magazine |date=December 1, 1947 |title=KPO Changeover to KNBC Celebrated By Pacific and Stateside NBC Pickups |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-12-01-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting-Telecasting |volume=33 |issue=21 |page=67 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030721/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-12-01-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}}}

Following the lead of WNBT, NBC filed applications for multiple FM and television stations as adjuncts to their radio properties as early as 1943, including for TV outlets in Denver and San Francisco.{{Cite magazine |date=November 17, 1947 |title=NBC Seeks Change in Video-FM Rule: Philco and WGN Apply For Visual Service; WKY-KLZ File |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-02-28-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting–Broadcast Advertising |volume=26 |issue=9 |page=12 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025340/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-02-28-BC.pdf |url-status=live }} The network ultimately built and signed on the following TV stations:{{Cite magazine |date=November 26, 1951 |title=O And O Stations: 6 Radio, 5 TV Belong to NBC |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-11-26.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting-Telecasting |volume=41 |issue=22 |pages=68, 72, 74, 94, 98 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030739/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-11-26.pdf |url-status=live }} WNBW in Washington, D.C. (June 27, 1947),{{Cite news |date=June 27, 1947 |title=NBC Begins Television Programs Over WNBW At Dedication Tonight |page=B7 |newspaper=Evening Star |location=Washington, District of Columbia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119508078/nbc-begins-television-programs-over/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119508078/nbc-begins-television-programs-over/ |url-status=live }} WNBK in Cleveland (October 30, 1948),{{Cite news |date=September 19, 1948 |title=Midwest TV Chain Starts Monday |page=8D |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119507417/midwest-tv-chain-starts-monday/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064018/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119507417/midwest-tv-chain-starts-monday/ |url-status=live }} WNBQ in Chicago (January 9, 1949){{Cite news |date=January 12, 1949 |title=New Era Opens For Video Set Owners In City |page=4:2 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119507908/new-era-opens-for-video-set-owners-in/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064016/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119507908/new-era-opens-for-video-set-owners-in/ |url-status=live }} and KNBH in Los Angeles (January 16, 1949);{{cite web |date=January 17, 1949 |title=KNBH (TV); new NBC outlet is sixth TV station in L.A. |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/49-OCR/1949-01-17-BC-OCR-Page-0034.pdf |page=34 |periodical=Broadcasting – Telecasting}} all five TV stations contained the letter combination "NB" within their call signs.{{Cite magazine |date=March 8, 1948 |title=WNBY Now WNBQ: NBC Video Change Furthers "NB" Theme |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-03-08-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting–Telecasting |volume=34 |issue=10 |page=85 |access-date=November 9, 2014 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042550/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-03-08-BC.pdf |url-status=live }} FM stations built and signed on by NBC included: KOA-FM, WRC-FM (June 1947), WMAQ-FM (October 13, 1948), WTAM-FM (December 6, 1948) and KNBR-FM (October 12, 1949).{{r|Broad19511126p68}} In hopes of buying a Los Angeles radio outlet to complement KNBH, NBC sold KOA and KOA-FM in 1952 to a group that included Bob Hope.{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite magazine |date=June 30, 1952 |title=NBC's KOA Sale; Now Seeks L.A. Outlet |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-06-30.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting–Telecasting |volume=42 |issue=26 |page=27 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025927/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-06-30.pdf |url-status=live }}|{{Cite magazine |date=September 1, 1952 |title=KOA Sale: NBC Approves; Transfer in Month |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-09-01.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting–Telecasting |volume=43 |issue=9 |page=27 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031154/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-09-01.pdf |url-status=live }}}} While initially only carrying NBC programming, WNBT started adding a slate of local shows and soon featured five hours of local programs during the daytime by May 1950.{{r|Broad19511126p68}}

{{Quote box

| quote = A business built on a few comedians isn't a business worth being in.

| salign = right

| author = David Sarnoff

| source = in response to CBS's 1948 "Paley raids" on NBC talent{{harvp|Bilby|1986|p=249}}.

| width = 275px

}}

For two decades the NBC radio network's roster of stars provided ratings consistently surpassing those of CBS, its main competitor. But in 1948, as the transition from radio to television was beginning, NBC's leadership came under attack due to what became known as the "Paley raids", named after the president of CBS, William S. Paley. After World War II the tax rate for annual incomes above $70,000 was 77 percent, while capital gains were taxed at 25 percent.{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|p=246}}. Paley worked out an accounting technique whereby individual performers could set up corporations that allowed their earnings to be taxed at the significantly lower rate. Instead of NBC responding with a similar package, RCA's president, David Sarnoff, decided that this accounting method was legally and ethically wrong.{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=247–248}}. NBC's performers did not agree, and most of the top stars, including Amos 'n' Andy, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Edgar Bergen, Burns and Allen, Ed Wynn, Fred Waring, Al Jolson, Groucho Marx and Frank Sinatra moved from NBC to CBS.{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=248}}. One notable exception was Bob Hope, who not only stayed, but moved to NBC television; by the time of his retirement in 1996, Hope's association with NBC spanned nearly 60 years.{{r|Errico 1996}}

File:Jack_benny_1933_publicity_photo.JPG

As a result of the defections, CBS boasted in 1949 of having sixteen of the twenty top rated programs. The consequences carried over to television, where CBS maintained its newfound dominance for decades.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=L. J. |date=September 20, 1987 |title=Did RCA Have To Be Sold? |language=en-US |page=23, Section 6 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/20/magazine/did-rca-have-to-be-sold.html |access-date=March 2, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303034252/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/20/magazine/did-rca-have-to-be-sold.html |url-status=live }}{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=246–249}}. Paley personally worked to woo the performers, while Sarnoff professed his indifference to the defections, stating at an annual meeting that "Leadership built over the years on a foundation of solid service cannot be snatched overnight by buying a few high-priced comedians. Leadership is not a laughing matter."{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|p=249}}. In part due to the talent raids,{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=252–253}}. NBC president Niles Trammell—who had been with NBC since 1929 and RCA since 1933—resigned to help establish WCKT in Miami with the Cox and Knight newspaper families.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=July 29, 1956 |title=Veteran Heads WCKT |page=H1 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94800381/veteran-heads-wckt/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215005737/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94800381/veteran-heads-wckt/ |archive-date=February 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} WCKT signed on with an NBC-TV affiliation, ostensibly as a reward for Trammell's loyalty.{{r|Bilby-p252-253}} The "Paley raids" had other consequences for RCA itself: Sarnoff and Paley (who also headed up Columbia Records) originally agreed to a new phonograph record standard of 33 RPM to replace the long-standing 78 RPM standard. After Jack Benny defected to CBS, Sarnoff rescinded the agreement and began marketing the RCA-developed 45 RPM instead; pressured by record stores and other major labels, RCA eventually agreed to the 33 RPM standard, but the feud risked creating damage to the record industry as a whole.{{harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=262–263}}.

Many NBC radio stars gravitated to television as it became more popular. Toscanini made ten appearances on NBC-TV simulcast on the radio network between 1948 and 1952.{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|p=242}}. Texaco Star Theater, an umbrella title for various radio variety shows from 1938 to 1949, migrated to NBC-TV in 1948 with Milton Berle as host, becoming both a cultural landmark and the first successful hit program in the medium.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=43–44, 266–267, 367, 460–461, 658}}. In the first of what became several efforts to keep classic radio relevant, NBC sanctioned The Big Show, a 90-minute Sunday night variety program which debuted on November 5, 1950. Hosted by stage actress Tallulah Bankhead, it harked back to radio's earliest musical variety style along with sophisticated comedy and drama. The Big Show was also a challenge to CBS's Sunday night lineup, much of which had come from NBC, including—and especially—Jack Benny.{{Harvp|Bilby|1986|pages=249–250}}. Despite critical praise, The Big Show{{'}}s initial success failed to last as NBC cancelled it after only two years, purportedly losing a million dollars on the project.{{Harvp|Dunning|1998|pp=85–86}}.

To reflect RCA's ownership, some of NBC's radio and television stations adopted "RCA"-derived call signs in October 1954: WNBC/WNBT in New York became WRCA-AM-FM-TV, WNBW in Washington became WRC-TV, and KNBH in Los Angeles became KRCA.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele47unse_0#page/n83/mode/1up "RCA Replaces NBC in O&O Calls"], Broadcasting – Telecasting, October 4, 1954, p. 78. By 1960, the New York radio stations reverted to WNBC-AM-FM and WRCA-TV became WNBC-TV.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele58unse_0#page/n93/mode/1up "WRCA to be WNBC?"], Broadcasting, April 4, 1960, p. 88. In 1962, KRCA became KNBC, while KNBC-AM-FM in San Francisco became KNBR-AM-FM.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele63unse_0#page/n735/mode/1up "KNBC to L.A."], Broadcasting, November 12, 1962, p. 72. WNBQ in Chicago became WMAQ-TV in 1964.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/64-OCR/1964-08-24-BC-OCR-Page-0079.pdf "Media reports..."], Broadcasting, August 24, 1964, p. 79. NBC also purchased WKNB in New Britain, Connecticut, in late 1956, and WJAS and WJAS-FM in Pittsburgh, in 1957.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele48unse#page/n106/mode/1up "Hearst Acquires WTVW (TV) Milwaukee; NBC buys WKNB-TV New Britain, Conn."], Broadcasting – Telecasting, January 10, 1955, p. 7.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele53unse#page/n716/mode/1up "NBC buys WJAS Pittsburgh"], Broadcasting – Telecasting, August 12, 1957, p. 9. The acquisition of WJAS was to offset KDKA's defection from the network several years earlier, while WKNB was included as part of the sale of its sister television station. NBC had no interest in owning a daytime-only station in the shadow of its powerful Hartford, Connecticut, affiliate, WTIC, so the network sold WKNB in 1960.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele56unse_0#page/n1548/mode/1up "NBC sells WNBC (TV) to Scheftel group"], Broadcasting, June 29, 1959, pp. 73–74. The Pittsburgh stations were sold in 1972.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-03-20-BC-OCR-Page-0040.pdf "Heftel in, NBC out of Pittsburgh radio"], Broadcasting, March 20, 1972, p. 40

In 1956, NBC sought to get an owned-and-operated television station in the Philadelphia market, so it forced a station ownership/call sign swap with Westinghouse Broadcasting. NBC acquired Westinghouse's KYW radio and WPTZ television in Philadelphia (which became WRCV-AM-TV, for the "RCA Victor" record label) while Westinghouse received NBC's WTAM-AM-FM and WNBK television in Cleveland (all of which took the KYW call signs).[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele50unse#page/n781/mode/1up "NBC, WBC outlets change calls today"], Broadcasting, February 13, 1956, pp. 98 Westinghouse also received $3 million in cash compensation.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele48unse_0#page/n932/mode/1up "NBC, WBC trade properties in Cleveland, Philadelphia"], Broadcasting, May 23, 1955, pp. 65–66, 68.

After Westinghouse expressed its unhappiness with the arrangement, the United States Department of Justice took NBC to court in late 1956. In a civil antitrust lawsuit filed against NBC and RCA, Westinghouse claimed the network threatened to pull their TV affiliation from Westinghouse's Philadelphia and Boston stations, and withhold an affiliation from their Pittsburgh TV property if Westinghouse did not agree to the trade.[https://archive.org/stream/broadcastingtele51unse_0#page/n1412/mode/1up "Justice Dept. hauls NBC into court"], Broadcasting - Telecasting, December 10, 1956, pp. 27–32. In August 1964 NBC's license for WRCV radio and television was renewed by the FCC—but only on the condition that the 1956 station swap be reversed.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-08-03-BC.pdf#page=23 "Philadelphia circle is complete"] and [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-08-03-BC.pdf#page=24 "Nine-year history of that trade in Philadelphia"], Broadcasting, August 3, 1964, pp. 23–25. Following nearly a year of appeals by NBC, the Supreme Court declared the trade null and void in June 1965; the KYW call letters were moved back to Philadelphia with Westinghouse while NBC rechristened the Cleveland stations as WKYC-AM-FM-TV, a derivative of KYW.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-06-14-BC-OCR-Page-0083.pdf "The great swap takes place June 19; Westinghouse, NBC return to original properties"], Broadcasting, June 14, 1965, p. 83. NBC kept ownership of the Cleveland radio stations until 1972, selling them off to Ohio Communications.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-01-17-BC-OCR-Page-0038.pdf "First NBC radio properties go"], Broadcasting, January 17, 1972, p. 38.

{{Further|Major League Baseball on NBC}}

In 1957, NBC Radio won the rights to broadcast the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and World Series from Mutual, who had held exclusive rights since 1942 and 1939, respectively, for both events. It gave NBC sole control of the big events in baseball as they had been exclusively airing both the All Star Game and World Series on television since 1947. NBC ended its radio association with baseball after the 1975 season in order to clear space for its 24-hour "News And Information" service programming, though it continued broadcasting on its television network until 1989 (while splitting coverage with ABC in all but the first year of that period).{{cite book |last=Halberstam|first=David J. |date=1999 |title=Sports On New York Radio: A Play-By-Play History |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-1570281976}}

{{Main|Monitor (radio program)}}

File:Monitor_sunday_afternoon_evening_staff_1957.JPG, "Monitor Medley Girl" Lorna Lynn, Dave Garroway, "Miss Monitor" Tedi Thurman and Ben Grauer.]]

NBC Radio drastically revamped its programming lineup with Monitor, a continuous, all-weekend programming umbrella featuring a mix of music, news, interviews and features that debuted on June 12, 1955.{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Magee |date=April 17, 1955 |title=NBC Radio Plots First Step Toward Program Overhaul |page=6:3 |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118922098/nbc-radio-plots-first-step-toward/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118922098/nbc-radio-plots-first-step-toward/ |url-status=live }} Monitor boasted a variety of hosts including such well-known television personalities as Dave Garroway, Hugh Downs, Ed McMahon, Joe Garagiola and Gene Rayburn. The potpourri also tried to keep vintage radio alive in featuring segments from Jim and Marian Jordan (in character as Fibber McGee and Molly), Ethel and Albert and iconoclastic satirist Henry Morgan.{{Cite news |last=Kaiser |first=Doug |date=February 2, 1975 |title=Radio's latest casualty |page=C1 |newspaper=The Journal Times |location=Racine, Wisconsin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921345/radios-latest-casualty/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035653/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921345/radios-latest-casualty/ |url-status=live }}

Monitor is credited for succeeding in an era where television became the dominant entertainment medium,{{r|Journa19750202p17}} but after the mid-1960s, local stations with established music formats—especially in larger markets—became increasingly reluctant to run network fare, dropping the program block outright,{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Magee |date=December 22, 1974 |title=All-Channel Radio Bill Dies, And Thereby Hangs A Moral |page=7G |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118931100/all-channel-radio-bill-dies-and/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035652/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118931100/all-channel-radio-bill-dies-and/ |url-status=live }} including flagship WNBC.{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1975 |title=NBC 'Monitor' going off air |page=6 |newspaper=The Berkshire Eagle |location=Pittsfield, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118931493/nbc-monitor-going-off-air/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118931493/nbc-monitor-going-off-air/ |url-status=live }} In turn, the number of sponsors for Monitor began to decline precipitously.{{r|Journa19750202p17}} Monitor{{'}}s final broadcast took place over the weekend of January 25–26, 1975.{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Paul |date=January 25, 1975 |title='Wake' Planned For 'Monitor' |page=B7 |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |location=Tucson, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921710/wake-planned-for-monitor/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921710/wake-planned-for-monitor/ |url-status=live }} From that point onward, the NBC Radio Network's main lineup consisted of hourly newscasts and commentary segments, plus religious programs and Meet the Press on Sundays.{{r|Broad19750210p78}}

File:nbcnis.jpgMonitor was succeeded{{r|Cincin19741222p89}} with another major programming investment: the NBC News and Information Service (NIS). Conceived by NBC Radio president Jack G. Thayer{{cite news | work= The New York Times | url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/12/obituaries/jack-g-thayer-radio-executive-72.html | title= Jack G. Thayer; Radio Executive, 72 | date= January 12, 1995 | page= B11 | access-date= August 3, 2021 | archive-date= February 17, 2023 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230217030548/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/12/obituaries/jack-g-thayer-radio-executive-72.html?searchResultPosition=6 | url-status= live }} as a secondary network for local stations wishing to adopt an all-news radio format, NIS supplied up to 55 minutes of news content per hour to stations.{{Cite magazine |date=February 10, 1975 |title=No. 2 network for NBC radio to be all news |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-02-10-BC.pdf#page=78 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=88 |issue=6 |pages=78–80 |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030703/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-02-10-BC.pdf#page=78 |url-status=live }} Thayer described NIS as "an over-all restyling" of NBC Radio providing "a more contemporary feel".{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1974 |title=NBC's 'Monitor' ending |page=25 |newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle |location=Rochester, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921562/nbcs-monitor-ending/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118921562/nbcs-monitor-ending/ |url-status=live }} While the main NBC Radio Network had been losing money in recent years, Thayer stressed NIS was not to replace it, nor was the main network threatened with closure.{{r|Broad19750210p78}} NBC assigned NIS to all but one of their FM stations—WNWS in New York (the former WNBC-FM), WNIS in Chicago (the former WJOI) and KNAI in San Francisco (the former KNBR-FM); WRC in Washington also became an affiliate, while WKYS (the former WRC-FM) assumed WRC's existing Top 40 format.[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-04-21-BC.pdf#page=44 "NBC news radio goes to O&Os in major cities"], Broadcasting, April 21, 1975, pp. 46–47. Other major affiliates included WBAL-FM in Baltimore, KHVH in Honolulu, KQV in Pittsburgh[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/75-OCR/1975-09-29-BC-OCR-Page-0050.pdf "NIS count up to 50"], Broadcasting, September 29, 1975, p. 46. and KRUX in Glendale–Phoenix.{{r|Broad19750421p46}}

At the end of 1975, NIS had 57 affiliates, significantly less than the 227 stations which carried either part or all of Monitor when it ceased; additionally, the NBC-owned NIS affiliates all failed to make a profit in 1975, but the network hoped for them to break even in the coming year.{{Cite news |last=Lazarus |first=George |date=December 9, 1975 |title=A turnaround at WMAQ |page=10:4 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118930423/a-turnaround-at-wmaq/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218035655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118930423/a-turnaround-at-wmaq/ |url-status=live }} As 1976 progressed, however, only 62 affiliates remained with NIS after 18 months, some of which were competing against long-established news-focused stations. Assuming over $10 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|10000000|1976}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in losses, Thayer announced the closure of NIS in November 1976 in six months, allowing for affiliates to find alternate programming.{{Cite magazine |date=November 8, 1976 |title=NBC throws in the towel on all-news NIS |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-11-08-BC.pdf#page=34 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=91 |issue=19 |pages=34, 36 |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023916/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-11-08-BC.pdf#page=34 |url-status=live }} While some former NIS affiliates—including WRC and KQV{{Cite news |last=Mehno |first=John |date=August 8, 1999 |title=KQV Just Keeps on Groovin' |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |url=http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/kqv0808.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305130927/http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/kqv0808.html |url-status=live }}—remained with all-news formats, the NBC-owned FM stations all adopted music formats.{{Cite magazine |date=November 22, 1976 |title=NIS orphans plan their next moves |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-11-22-BC.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=91 |issue=21 |page=25 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025240/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-11-22-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}

File:Sally_Jesse_Raphael.jpg

In 1979,{{Cite magazine |date=June 18, 1979 |title=Monitor: 'Source' material |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-06-18.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=96 |issue=25 |page=58 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032813/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-06-18.pdf |url-status=live }} NBC launched The Source, a secondary network that targeted younger listeners, providing news, short features and music specials to FM rock stations.{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite magazine |date=March 17, 1980 |title=Up, up and away for radio networking: Yesterday's most important medium shows renewed growth with satellites spurring interest |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/BC%201980%2003%2017.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=98 |issue=11 |pages=37–38, 40, 44 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023740/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/BC%201980%2003%2017.pdf |url-status=live }}|{{Cite magazine |date=August 25, 1980 |title=Overview: Jockeying for position in the marketplace |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/BC%201980%2008%2025.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=99 |issue=8 |pages=48, 50, 52 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818014320/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/BC%201980%2008%2025.pdf |url-status=live }}}} The Source also featured a talk show hosted by sex columnist Ruth Westheimer{{Cite magazine |date=June 24, 1985 |title=Closed Circuit: Four-letter fringe |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-06-24.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=108 |issue=25 |page=7 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030911/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-06-24.pdf |url-status=live }} beginning in 1984, which originated at NBC's New York FM station WYNY.{{cite magazine |last=O'Rourke |first=P. J. |date=August 1986 |title=Inside Dr. Ruth; The little European lady with the twinkling eyes and the numbing homilies is America's favorite sexually transmitted contagion. P. J. O'ROURKE asks some questions that shouldn't make you blush or giggle |url=https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1986/8/inside-dr-ruth |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008103333/https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1986/8/inside-dr-ruth |url-status=live }} NBC Radio's last major programming venture occurred with the November 2, 1981, debut of NBC Talknet, a talk radio program block for the late-evening hours. Headlined by advice host Sally Jessy Raphael and personal finance talker Bruce Williams, NBC Talknet was largely inspired by the success of the all-night Larry King Show on Mutual.{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Kevin |date=May 2, 1982 |title=Radio's Latest Boom: Late-Night Talk Shows |page=33:2 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/02/arts/radio-s-latest-boom-late-night-talk-shows.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033718/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/02/arts/radio-s-latest-boom-late-night-talk-shows.html?sec=&pagewanted=1 |archive-date=February 10, 2023}}|{{Cite news |last=Flamberg |first=Daniel |date=June 20, 1982 |title=TV Mailbag—About Radio Talk Shows |page=33:2 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/20/arts/l-tv-mailbag-about-radio-talk-shows-223943.html+Topics%2FSubjects%2FR%2FRadio |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033718/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/20/arts/l-tv-mailbag-about-radio-talk-shows-223943.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FSubjects%2FR%2FRadio |archive-date=February 10, 2023}}}}{{Cite news |last=Eftimiades |first=Maria |date=July 2, 1989 |title=Radio Personality Without Limits |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/02/nyregion/radio-personality-without-limits.html+williams%22+franklin&scp=2&st=nyt |access-date=February 20, 2008 |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728003158/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/02/nyregion/radio-personality-without-limits.html?sq=%22bruce+williams%22+franklin&scp=2&st=nyt |url-status=live }} When Williams was critically injured in a 1982 airplane crash, he resumed his NBC Talknet show four weeks later, conducting it from his hospital room.{{cite news |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Hall Of Famer Bruce Williams Dies |work=Radio Ink |url=https://radioink.com/2019/02/11/hall-of-famer-bruce-williams-dies/ |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428114623/https://radioink.com/2019/02/11/hall-of-famer-bruce-williams-dies/ |url-status=live }} Williams' show proved to be very successful and ultimately outlived NBC Talknet itself.{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Tom |date=June 3, 2001 |title=Proof that not all silence is golden |pages=1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118794601/proof-that-not-all-silence-is-golden-p2/ 2] |newspaper=The Tampa Tribune: Community Focus–Pasco |location=Tampa, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118794513/proof-that-not-all-silence-is-golden/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217030544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118794513/proof-that-not-all-silence-is-golden/ |url-status=live }}

NBC Radio Entertainment was established in December 1984 to handle the distribution of Jazz with David Sanborn and Live From the Hard Rock Cafe with Paul Shaffer, along with an oldies show hosted by WNBC's Soupy Sales. NBC Radio also acquired the national play-by-play rights for NFL games for both the 1985 and 1986 seasons, outbidding long-standing rights holder CBS Radio.{{Cite magazine |date=February 24, 1986 |title=Randy Bongarten: sound management for NBC Radio |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-02-24.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=110 |issue=8 |page=95 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030344/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-02-24.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{main|List of radio stations formerly owned by NBC}}

File:30 Rockefeller Plaza New York City RCA GE Building.jpg

NBC made its final radio station acquisition in 1983 when it bought Boston station WJIB from GE, which was divesting its radio properties.{{Cite magazine |date=May 16, 1983 |title=In brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-05-16.pdf#page=104 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=104 |issue=20 |page=104 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023809/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-05-16.pdf#page=104 |url-status=live }} In February 1984, the network sold WRC in Washington to Greater Media for $3.6 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|3600000|1984}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{Cite magazine |date=February 27, 1984 |title=Riding gain: Sale switch |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-02-27.pdf#page=58 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=106 |issue=9 |page=58 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032106/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-02-27.pdf#page=58 |url-status=live }}

On December 11, 1985, GE announced it was acquiring RCA in a $6.28 billion deal (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|6280000000|1985}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). Earlier in the year, RCA entertained merger talks with Universal Pictures parent MCA Inc. while fending off hostile takeover threats.{{Cite news |last=Richer |first=Paul |date=December 12, 1985 |title=General Electric Will Buy RCA for $6.28 Billion |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-12-12-mn-16152-story.html |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103073901/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-12-12/news/mn-16152_1_general-electric-will |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=December 16, 1985 |title=RCA + GE: Marriage made in takeover heaven |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-12-16.pdf#page=43 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=109 |issue=25 |pages=43–45 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825203327/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-12-16.pdf#page=43 |url-status=live }} GE requested in paperwork filed with the FCC that NBC's grandfathered status permitting radio-TV combinations in three markets be broken up within 18 months,{{Efn|FCC regulations at the time prevented cross-ownership of TV and radio stations by the same owner in a given market. While an existing radio-TV combination could be given "grandfathered" protection, this would be nullified upon a pending ownership change. When Capital Cities Communications, Inc. purchased ABC the previous year, it needed to file a request for a waiver to retain their radio-TV combinations.{{Cite magazine |date=March 25, 1985 |title=FCC approval of CapCities/ABC deal likely |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-25.pdf#page=33 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=108 |issue=12 |page=33 |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302220052/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-25.pdf#page=33 |url-status=live }}}} retaining the five NBC-owned television stations and GE's KCNC-TV.{{cite news |date=July 21, 1987 |title=NBC to Sell Its Radio Networks |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/21/business/nbc-to-sell-its-radio-networks.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107212843/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/21/business/nbc-to-sell-its-radio-networks.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=February 17, 1986 |title=GE/RCA go for it at FCC |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-02-17.pdf#page=29 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=110 |issue=7 |page=29 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151341/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-02-17.pdf#page=29 |url-status=live }} A planned sale of the entire radio unit to Westinghouse Broadcasting at the end of 1986 collapsed, prompting Westwood One, a Culver City, California–based syndicator that acquired Mutual in 1985, to purchase the NBC Radio Network, The Source, NBC Talknet and NBC Radio Entertainment, along with leases to the radio network facilities at 1700 Broadway, for $50 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|50000000|1987}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). As part of the deal, a long-term brand licensing deal for the "NBC Radio" name was agreed to, while NBC Radio employees, including in the news division, were transferred to Westwood One.{{Cite magazine |date=July 27, 1987 |title=Westwood One acquires NBC Radio for $50 million |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-27.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=113 |issue=4 |pages=35–36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024552/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-27.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |via=World Radio History}}{{cite news |date=July 21, 1987 |title=NBC SELLS ITS RADIO NETWORK |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-21-ca-5298-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107125836/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-21-ca-5298-story.html |archive-date=November 7, 2022}} The remaining divisions and assets of RCA, including RCA Records were spun off to various companies, including Bertelsmann and Thomson SA.{{cite magazine |last=Hennessey |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Hennessey |date=September 20, 1986 |title=RCA Deal Gives Bertelsmann Multinational Label Ranking |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1986/BB-1986-09-20.pdf |magazine=Billboard |volume=98 |issue=3B |pages=1, 78 |access-date=January 8, 2012 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121000950/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1986/BB-1986-09-20.pdf |url-status=live }}{{r|NYT-RCAGE}}

The seven NBC-owned radio stations, which initially agreed to remain with NBC Radio as affiliates,{{r|Broad19870727p35}} were all put up for sale{{Cite magazine |date=January 25, 1988 |title=NBC's radio stations are on the block |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-01-25.pdf#page=43 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=114 |issue=4 |page=43 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223064012/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-01-25.pdf#page=43 |url-status=live }} and divested to various buyers between 1988 and 1989, including Emmis Communications,{{Cite magazine |date=February 22, 1988 |title=Emmis buys five NBC radio stations |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-02-22.pdf#page=72 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=114 |issue=8 |pages=76–77 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031109/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-02-22.pdf#page=72 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |via=World Radio History}} Westinghouse{{Cite magazine |date=November 30, 1987 |title=In brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-11-30.pdf#page=103 |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=113 |issue=22 |page=136 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031109/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-11-30.pdf#page=103 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History}} and Susquehanna Radio Corporation.{{Cite magazine |date=March 27, 1989 |title=In brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-03-27.pdf#page=87 |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=116 |issue=13 |page=89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031109/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-03-27.pdf#page=87 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |via=World Radio History}} WNBC was included in Emmis's multi-station purchase; as Emmis already owned WFAN in New York City, it sold that station's license and transferred the intellectual property onto the WNBC license, supplanting it outright (WNBC was thus regarded in media coverage as "ceasing operation").{{Cite magazine |date=October 10, 1988 |title=In brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-10-10.pdf#page=83 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=115 |issue=15 |pages=88–89 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030636/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-10-10.pdf#page=83 |url-status=live }} The last station to be sold, KNBR, was delayed due to a long-term play-by-play contract with the San Francisco Giants that ran through the 1989 season.{{r|Broad19880222p76}}

File:Steve Allen 1987 cropped.jpg

Following the sale, NBC Radio added one long-form program to their lineup—a daily talk/variety show hosted by Steve Allen based from WNEW that debuted in October 1987.{{Cite news |last=Bornfeld |first=Steve |date=December 14, 1987 |title=Hi-ho Steve-a-rino! Steve Allen returns to his comedy roots in radio |pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805384/hi-ho-steve-a-rino-steve-allen-returns/ D4] |newspaper=The Reporter Dispatch |location=White Plains, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805331/hi-ho-steve-a-rino-steve-allen-returns/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031142/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805331/hi-ho-steve-a-rino-steve-allen-returns/ |url-status=live }} Westwood One initially promoted the show as part of the new "Mutual P.M." program service,{{Cite news |last=Maksian |first=George |date=September 9, 1987 |title='Ballroom' bops back |page=72 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118803856/ballroom-bops-back/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118803856/ballroom-bops-back/ |url-status=live }} but it was moved to being under the NBC umbrella prior to launch.{{Cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=October 14, 1987 |title=At WNEW, Two Decades, One Format |pages=II11–II13 |newspaper=Newsday (Nassau Edition) |location=Hempstead, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805068/at-wnew-two-decades-one-format-p2/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031150/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805068/at-wnew-two-decades-one-format-p2/ |url-status=live }} Failing to get enough affiliates for the program, Allen ended the show the following March.{{Cite news |last=Maksian |first=George |date=March 19, 1988 |title=Radio Roundup: Curtain Falls on Steverino |page=46 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118804648/radio-roundup-curtain-falls-on/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118804648/radio-roundup-curtain-falls-on/ |url-status=live }} The Sunday morning religious program The Eternal Light, for years the networks' only non-news program, ended its 45 year run on NBC Radio in 1989.{{cite news |last=Pace |first=Eric |date=January 11, 2000 |title=Milton E. Krents, 88, Producer of 'Eternal Light' Religious Series |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE7DE1F3BF932A25752C0A9669C8B63 |access-date=December 8, 2008 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031159/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/11/arts/milton-e-krents-88-producer-of-eternal-light-religious-series.html |url-status=live }} Another NBC–branded program introduced following the Westwood One purchase was the morning newsmagazine First Light, hosted by Dirk Van, which debuted in April 1990.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Don |date=April 4, 1990 |title=ABC newcomers draw applause |page=7D |newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal |location=Madison, Wisconsin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805769/abc-newcomers-draw-applause/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805769/abc-newcomers-draw-applause/ |url-status=live }} First Light was complimentary to Mutual's existing morning newsmagazine, America in The Morning hosted by Jim Bohannon.{{Cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=September 25, 1991 |title=Multilingual WNWK To Get A New Owner |pages=53, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118806010/multilingual-wnwk-to-get-a-new-owner-p2/ 58] |newspaper=Newsday |location=New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805943/multilingual-wnwk-to-get-a-new-owner/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118805943/multilingual-wnwk-to-get-a-new-owner/ |url-status=live }}

Within a year of Westwood One's takeover, several tenured NBC Radio News staffers resigned, including London bureau chief Fred Kennedy, who told Broadcasting magazine, "what was once a great network and broadcast news operation is becoming an audio wire service... and not even a good audio wire service."{{Cite magazine |date=October 31, 1988 |title=In Brief: Exits at NBC Radio Network News |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-10-31.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=115 |issue=18 |page=80 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025055/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-10-31.pdf |url-status=live }} Some affiliates also expressed concern over a decline in technical and editorial quality, even as NBC Radio successfully added 90 affiliates since the sale.{{Cite magazine |date=November 7, 1988 |title=The changing world of Westwood One |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-11-07.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=115 |issue=19 |pages=33–34 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023733/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-11-07.pdf |url-status=live }} Norm Pattiz, Westwood One founder/CEO, defended the consolidation moves by noting the radio networks had been losing up to $10 million, but emphasized "we are not dismantling the NBC networks".{{Cite magazine |last=Ditingo |first=Vince |date=July 25, 1988 |title=The Many Worlds of Radio 1988 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-11-07.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=115 |issue=4 |pages=37–40, 42 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023733/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-11-07.pdf |url-status=live }} By January 1989, Westwood One announced NBC Radio News would move to Mutual's Arlington, Virginia, facility;{{Cite magazine |date=January 30, 1989 |title=NBC Radio to move to Virginia |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-30.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=116 |issue=5 |page=50 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108165144/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-30.pdf |url-status=live }} engineering operations followed{{Cite web |last=Johannessen |first=Kenneth I. |date=2009 |title=The Westwood One Years – 1985 to the End: Setting Sun Under Westwood One |url=http://www.mutualradiotributesite.org/mrts_history12_ww1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714102243/http://misterk60.com/WW1.html |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Mutual Radio Tribute Site}} along with the affiliate relations department.{{Cite magazine |date=May 28, 1990 |title=On Radio: Westwood One cuts staff, trims shows |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-05-28.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=118 |issue=22 |page=60 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024321/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-05-28.pdf |url-status=live }}

The Source, which had been reworked into both supplying short-form features and production elements for radio stations in 1988,{{Cite magazine |date=June 20, 1988 |title=The Source gets facelift |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-06-20.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=114 |issue=25 |pages=61–62 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206003131/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-06-20.pdf |url-status=live }} moved their operations to Los Angeles by 1990.{{r|Broad19900528p60}} Mutual and NBC newscasts were further streamlined in 1992 with jointly-produced newscasts in overnights and weekends{{Cite magazine |last=Shweder |first=Jeremy |date=April 9, 1999 |title=WW1 Signals Mutual's Demise: NBC News feeds also trimmed in consolidation |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-04-09.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=1294 |pages=3, 23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131021155/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-04-09.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |via=World Radio History}} and both networks airing unbranded sportscasts through the weekend.{{r|JohannessenWW1}} NBC Talknet's operations also moved to the Arlington facilities in 1992{{Cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=July 15, 1992 |title=A Classic 'K-Rock' Showing, p2 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796008/a-classic-k-rock-showing/ 55], 84 |newspaper=Newsday |location=New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796061/a-classic-k-rock-showing-p2/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796061/a-classic-k-rock-showing-p2/ |url-status=live }} and largely continued until 1993, when it was limited solely to Bruce Williams' weeknight show—ceding the other three-hour slot to Jim Bohannon's Mutual talk show{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Beth |date=December 14, 1993 |title=Changes have WHP listeners talking |page=D1 |newspaper=York Daily Record |location=York, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118794754/changes-have-whp-listeners-talking/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118794754/changes-have-whp-listeners-talking/ |url-status=live }}—and was eventually rebranded as a Westwood One program.{{r|TampaT20010603p9}}

Infinity Broadcasting took over operations of Westwood One in 1994 after it sold to them competing syndicator Unistar Radio Networks; as part of the deal, Infinity purchased 25 percent of Westwood One, becoming its largest shareholder.{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1994 |title=Company News; Westwood One Completes Purchase of Unistar Radio |page=39:1 |work=The New York Times |agency=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/05/business/company-news-westwood-one-completes-purchase-of-unistar-radio.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033719/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/05/business/company-news-westwood-one-completes-purchase-of-unistar-radio.html |archive-date=February 10, 2023}} Westinghouse Broadcasting's parent Westinghouse Electric Corporation—which bought out CBS and renamed itself CBS Corporation the following year—acquired Infinity for just shy of $5 billion in June 1996 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|5000000000|1996}}|}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1996 |title=To Infinity and Beyond: Is a Radio Deal Too Big?; Westinghouse Would Own 32% of Top Markets |page=D1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/21/business/infinity-beyond-radio-deal-too-big-westinghouse-would-own-32-top-markets.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206055446/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/21/business/infinity-beyond-radio-deal-too-big-westinghouse-would-own-32-top-markets.html |url-status=live }}|{{Cite news |last=Fabrikant |first=Geraldine |date=June 21, 1996 |title=Two Radio Giants to Merge, Forming Biggest Network |page=A1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/21/business/two-radio-giants-to-merge-forming-biggest-network.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212012607/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/21/business/two-radio-giants-to-merge-forming-biggest-network.html |url-status=live }}|{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1996 |title=F.C.C. Approves Merger of Westinghouse and Infinity |page=D3 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/27/business/fcc-approves-merger-of-westinghouse-and-infinity.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033727/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/27/business/fcc-approves-merger-of-westinghouse-and-infinity.html |archive-date=February 10, 2023 }}|{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1997 |title=Company Briefs |page=63:1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/01/business/company-briefs-987913.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033719/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/01/business/company-briefs-987913.html |archive-date=February 10, 2023 }}}} An agreement was then reached for Westwood One to manage the CBS Radio Network, merging the descendants of the three original U.S. radio networks: NBC, CBS and Mutual.{{Cite news |last=Edel |first=Raymond A. |date=April 4, 1997 |title=WAXQ ad gets good vibrations |page=YT-3 |newspaper=The Record |location=Hackensack, New Jersey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118798153/waxq-ad-gets-good-vibrations/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118798153/waxq-ad-gets-good-vibrations/ |url-status=live }} Another realignment in the fall of 1997 had the "NBC Radio Network" name revived, but as an internal brand name for Westwood One affiliates that had adult contemporary and country formats; The Source was also reworked into a brand name for affiliates with formats that targeted 18–34 males.{{Cite magazine |date=July 7, 1997 |title=In Brief: Westwood redesigns its lineup of networks |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-07.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=127 |issue=28 |page=65 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032110/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-07.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{Quote box

| quote = Westwood One had two superior news-gathering operations between CBS and CNN. Then we had a third one in Arlington. We were spending a lot of our effort in news-gathering and didn't need so many duplicate people cutting up the same Bill Clinton tape.

| author = Nick Kiernan

| salign = right

| source = Westwood One vice president of affiliate relations, on the closing of the Mutual/NBC newsroom in Arlington, Virginia{{r|R&R19980807p3}}

| width = 300px

}}

On August 31, 1998, the combined Mutual/NBC newsroom in Arlington closed,{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1998 |title=Westwood shuts down NBC Mutual news unit |page=9 |newspaper=The Bradenton Herald |agency=Associated Press |location=Bradenton, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796983/westwood-shuts-down-nbc-mutual-news-unit/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031204/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796983/westwood-shuts-down-nbc-mutual-news-unit/ |url-status=live }} with "Mutual" and "NBC" newscasts originating from CBS Radio News in New York.{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Matt |date=August 7, 1998 |title=WW1 Consolidates NBC/Mutual News |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-08-07.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=1260 |pages=3, 12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131021341/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-08-07.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |via=World Radio History}} Westwood One then announced the full retirement of the Mutual name and ending of newscast production on April 17, 1999, with "NBC"–branded newscasts produced by CBS restricted to morning drive (ET) on weekdays. This curtailing was made as affiliates largely aired "NBC" newscasts in the morning hours.{{r|R&R19990409p3}} Remaining NBC affiliates were offered CNN Radio newscasts at all other times; CNN Radio was also offered as a replacement for former Mutual affiliates.{{Cite news |last=Hinckley |first=David |date=April 7, 1999 |title=Mutual's riding off into radio sunset |page=69 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118758711/mutuals-riding-off-into-radio-sunset/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118758711/mutuals-riding-off-into-radio-sunset/ |url-status=live }} The change notably forced WHIZ in Zanesville, Ohio, an NBC affiliate since 1939, to switch to ABC News.{{Cite news |date=April 21, 1999 |title=WHIZ radio changes from NBC to ABC |page=3 |newspaper=The Times Recorder |location=Zanesville, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100652257/whiz-radio-changes-from-nbc-to-abc/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428202553/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100652257/whiz-radio-changes-from-nbc-to-abc/ |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

With only a very small number of affiliates that remained, an end date for production of "NBC"–branded newscasts cannot be determined, but Westwood One continued to promote the "NBC Radio Network" on their corporate website as late as 2004.{{Cite web |title=Networks – NBC |url=http://www.cbsradio.com/networks_nbc.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040325202345/http://www.cbsradio.com/networks_nbc.asp |archive-date=March 25, 2004 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=Westwood One}} While his show had been rebranded under his name, Bruce Williams left Westwood One in June 2001, effectively ending the NBC Talknet service.{{r|TampaT20010603p9}} In 1999, the last remaining program from the original NBC Radio Network, First Light, was changed to a Westwood One branded program and continued production until July 31, 2022.{{cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Westwood One Makes Distribution & Staff Cuts |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/230819/westwood-one-makes-distribution-staff-cuts/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630233659/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/230819/westwood-one-makes-distribution-staff-cuts/ |archive-date=June 30, 2022}}

{{Further|NBC News#NBC News Radio}}

The "NBC" name re-emerged on radio with NBC News Radio on March 31, 2003, featuring NBC and MSNBC anchors and reporters, but limited to one-minute newscasts on weekdays; Westwood One made the new service available to all radio stations the syndicator was affiliated with.{{Cite news |date=February 26, 2003 |title=NBC, Westwood One announce partnership |page=D6 |newspaper=The Lima News |agency=Associated Press |location=Lima, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118797576/nbc-westwood-one-announce-partnership/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217031210/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118797576/nbc-westwood-one-announce-partnership/ |url-status=live }} Westwood One also began distributing an audio simulcast of Meet the Press to radio stations in 2004, a practice which continues to this day.{{Cite magazine |date=May 14, 2004 |title=Newsbreakers: National Radio |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-05-14.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=1555 |page=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023328/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-05-14.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=February 12, 2023 |via=World Radio History}}

Westwood One was spun off by majority owner CBS Corporation (one of two successors to the first Viacom, which acquired the first CBS Corporation in 1999{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=David |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Why Viacom and CBS Had to Merge to Survive |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/why-viacom-and-cbs-had-merge-survive/596338/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015031621/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/why-viacom-and-cbs-had-merge-survive/596338/ |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=The Atlantic |language=en-US}}) to The Gores Group in 2007. On October 21, 2011, Dial Global—a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Management's Triton Media Group—acquired the majority of Westwood One's assets, including the distribution rights to NBC News Radio; this resulted in a wholesale re-branding of Westwood One programming.{{cite news |last=Kevin |first=Roose |date=August 1, 2011 |title=Westwood One and Dial Global to Merge |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/westwood-one-and-dial-global-to-merge/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220045317/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/westwood-one-and-dial-global-to-merge/ |archive-date=December 20, 2011}} Dial Global announced on March 2, 2012, that it would end distribution of CNN Radio newscasts and make NBC News Radio a full-time operation, with a majority of CNN affiliates switching to NBC.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2012 |title=Dial Global To Offer NBC News Radio Network, Drops CNN Radio |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/103029/dial-global-to-offer-nbc-news-radio-network-drops- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210052336/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/103029/dial-global-to-offer-nbc-news-radio-network-drops- |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=All Access |language=en}} The new format consisted of twice-hourly newscasts.[http://www.newsday.com/news/nbc-news-to-beef-up-radio-news-as-cnn-withdraws-1.3571156 NBC News to beef up radio news as CNN withdraws] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518005350/http://www.newsday.com/news/nbc-news-to-beef-up-radio-news-as-cnn-withdraws-1.3571156 |date=May 18, 2012 }}. Associated Press. Retrieved March 2, 2012. By September 2012, NBC Sports Radio was launched as a joint venture between NBC Sports and Dial Global.{{cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=November 29, 2018 |title=NBC Sports Radio To Cease 24/7 Programming |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/172390/nbc-sports-radio-to-cease-24-7-programming/ |access-date=November 29, 2018 |work=Radio Insight |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005210/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/172390/nbc-sports-radio-to-cease-24-7-programming/ |url-status=live }}

With Cumulus Media acquiring Dial Global and amid plans to merge it into its own radio network, Dial Global reverted to using the Westwood One name in September 2013.{{Cite web |last=Moses |first=Lucia |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Dial Global Brings Back WestwoodOne Name |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/dial-global-brings-back-westwoodone-name-152195/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211164435/https://www.adweek.com/digital/dial-global-brings-back-westwoodone-name-152195/ |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2019 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Dial Global becomes WestwoodOne ahead of Cumulus acquisition |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2013-sep-04-la-et-ct-dial-global-changes-westwoodone-20130904-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321220949/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2013-sep-04-la-et-ct-dial-global-changes-westwoodone-20130904-story.html |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} On December 15, 2014, concurrent with the launch of Westwood One News, a white-label news service established with a content-sharing deal with CNN,{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=July 31, 2014 |title=Cumulus/WestwoodOne To Establish CNN Powered News Service |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/89589/cumuluswestwoodone-to-establish-cnn-powered-news-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004025201/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/89589/cumuluswestwoodone-to-establish-cnn-powered-news-service/ |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}} Westwood One ended production of NBC News Radio newscasts.{{cite news |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Westwood One to Drop NBC News Radio |work=Radio World |url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/westwood-one-to-drop-nbc-news-radio |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928092911/https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/westwood-one-to-drop-nbc-news-radio |url-status=live }} Failing to sign up enough major-market affiliates, Westwood One ended 24/7 programming on NBC Sports Radio at the end of 2018,{{r|RadIn20181129a}} and shut down operations outright in March 2020.{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |date=March 5, 2020 |title=Westwood One To Cease Distribution Of NBC Sports Radio |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184960/westwood-one-to-cease-distribution-of-nbc-sports-radio/ |access-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913060506/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184960/westwood-one-to-cease-distribution-of-nbc-sports-radio/ |url-status=live }}

Beginning in July 2016, NBC Universal licensed the name "NBC News Radio" to iHeartMedia, utilizing talent and reporters from iHeartMedia's existing 24/7 News Network, made available to the group's approximately 850 radio stations.{{Cite web|url=https://radioink.com/2016/07/11/iheartmedia-plus-nbc-equals-big-news/|title=iHeartMedia Plus NBC Equals Big News|work=Radio Ink|date=July 11, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530085739/https://radioink.com/2016/07/11/iheartmedia-plus-nbc-equals-big-news/|url-status=live}} The reintroduced service included an hourly newscast along with ancillary specials and longform breaking news coverage.[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/155443/iheartmedia-s-24-7-news-network-joins-forces-with- "iHeartMedia's 24/7 News Network Joins Forces With NBC News To Launch 'NBC News Radio'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815124848/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/155443/iheartmedia-s-24-7-news-network-joins-forces-with- |date=August 15, 2016 }}, July 11, 2016 (allaccess.com)

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin|30em}}

• {{Cite book |last=Banning |first=William Peck |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Commercial-Broadcasting-Pioneer-WEAF.pdf |title=Commercial and Broadcasting Pioneer: The WEAF Experiment, 1922–1926 |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1946 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131055904/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Commercial-Broadcasting-Pioneer-WEAF.pdf |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |last=Bilby |first=Kenneth |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Biography/The-General-David-Sarnoff-Bilby-1985.pdf |title=The General: David Sarnoff and the rise of the communications industry |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1986 |isbn=0-06-015568-X |edition=1st |location=New York, New York |access-date=February 17, 2023 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201030919/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Biography/The-General-David-Sarnoff-Bilby-1985.pdf |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last=Cox |first=Jim |title=Say Goodnight, Gracie: The Last Years of Network Radio |location=Jefferson, N.C. |publisher=McFarland |year=2015 |author-link=Jim Cox (historian) |orig-date=2002 |isbn=978-0-7864-1168-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Cox |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tpxGeViyuPwC&q=wor+woic+mutual+television&pg=PA83 |title=American Radio Networks: A History |location=Jefferson, N.C. |author-link=Jim Cox (historian) |access-date=July 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210033717/https://books.google.com/books?id=tpxGeViyuPwC&q=wor+woic+mutual+television&pg=PA83 |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |url-status=live |publisher=McFarland |year=2002 |isbn=0-7864-4192-5 }}
• {{cite book |last=Dunning |first=John |title=On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio |location=New York and Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-507678-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/onairencyclop00dunn }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Lucier |first=James P. |author-link=James P. Lucier |date=February 9, 1998 |title=Jim Bohannon On Air—Radio Talk Show Host |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A20204514/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=3846be6b |journal=Insight on the News |volume=14 |issue=5 |page=15 |issn=1051-4880 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 11, 2023 |via=Gale Academic Onefile |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212212127/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=wikipedia&id=GALE{{!}}A20204514&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-AONE&asid=3846be6b |url-status=live }}

{{refend}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710125158/http://www.digitaldeliftp.com/LookAround/la_networkspot_nbc.htm NBC radio history] at the Digital Deli

{{American broadcast radio}}

Category:Westwood One

Category:Defunct radio networks in the United States

Category:Radio stations established in 1926

Category:Radio stations disestablished in 1999

Category:1926 establishments in New York (state)

Category:1999 disestablishments in New York (state)