The designation of the "oldest TV channel" in the United States is nuanced, often pointing to stations that began experimental broadcasts in the late 1920s, with commercial operations formally commencing in 1941. Pinpointing a single oldest channel requires understanding the evolution from early radio networks to dedicated television broadcasting.
The Dawn of Broadcasting Networks
While the focus is on television, it's important to acknowledge the pioneering role of radio networks. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) stands as the oldest broadcasting network in the United States. It officially came into being on November 15, 1926, initiating its operations with a grand four-hour radio program broadcast from the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. This established a foundation for a major broadcasting entity that would later play a pivotal role in the nascent television industry.
Early Experimental Television Stations
Long before television became a household staple, experimental stations paved the way. These early endeavors demonstrated the feasibility of transmitting images over the airwaves.
- WGY (Schenectady, New York): Operated by General Electric, WGY began experimental television broadcasts as early as 1928, utilizing mechanical scanning systems.
- W2XBS (New York City): Owned by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), which was closely affiliated with the NBC network, W2XBS also commenced experimental broadcasts in 1928. This station would later evolve into a key commercial television outlet.
- W3XE (Philadelphia): Operated by Philco, this station also engaged in experimental broadcasting in the early 1930s.
These stations were critical for testing technology and developing programming concepts, laying the groundwork for future commercial operations.
The Launch of Commercial Television
Commercial television, as we know it today, officially began in the United States on July 1, 1941. This date marked the start of revenue-generating broadcasts, distinct from purely experimental transmissions, and signifies the birth of the first commercial "TV channels" in the U.S.
On this significant day, two stations in New York City began commercial operations simultaneously:
- WNBT (New York City): Formerly the experimental W2XBS, this station was owned by NBC. It aired the first legal television commercial, for Bulova watches, on its launch day. Today, WNBT operates as WNBC-TV, the flagship station of the NBC television network.
- WCBW (New York City): Owned by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), this station also commenced commercial broadcasting on the same day. WCBW later became WCBS-TV, the flagship station for the CBS television network.
| Station (Current Name) | Original Commercial Call Sign | Network Affiliation | Commercial Launch Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WNBC-TV | WNBT (evolved from W2XBS) | NBC | July 1, 1941 | New York City |
| WCBS-TV | WCBW | CBS | July 1, 1941 | New York City |
Therefore, while the National Broadcasting Company was the pioneering "broadcasting network" from 1926 (initially in radio), its dedicated commercial television channel, WNBT, was among the first to officially launch alongside CBS's WCBW in 1941. The development of television as a mainstream medium took several more years, greatly accelerating after World War II.
