broadcast network

A broadcast network is a company that provides programming to multiple radio or television stations. In the United States, the early days of radio were chaotic and unregulated. To prevent monopolies and organize the airwaves, the Radio Act of 1927 was passed, leading to the establishment of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to manage broadcast frequencies.1

This regulation eventually led to the formation of major radio networks like the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Mutual Broadcasting System, and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). NBC, founded in 1926, was the first major broadcasting company in the U.S. and initially focused on radio before expanding into television. The development of television broadcasting saw similar growth, with networks like NBC and CBS pioneering regular broadcasts in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Over time, cable television emerged, offering alternative programming and impacting the viewership of traditional broadcast networks.1234