NBC

The National Broadcasting Company was the first broadcasting network in America. Formed just months after Roscoe Bartlett was born, it started as a radio network, and evolved into a television network. The famous three note NBC chimes became the first audio trademark in 1931.

Concerned with NBC's status as a monopoly, the Federal Communications Commission ordered NBC split in two. After losing an appeal to the Supreme Court, a portion of the NBC became the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 1945. Despite that, NBC is now available through over 200 stations and reaches nearly 99% of American households.

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