NBC Launched Commercial Television 85 Years Ago Today from New York World's Fair
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On April 30, 1939, RCA and NBC boss David Sarnoff initiated the first commercial television broadcast in the U.S. from the New York World's Fair site in Queens. The broadcast, transmitted from an antenna atop the Empire State Building, marked the start of NBC's regular television schedule. The onset of World War II later that year temporarily diverted television's technological development to military purposes.
Facts First
- Commercial television in the U.S. launched on April 30, 1939, with a broadcast from the New York World's Fair.
- RCA and NBC's David Sarnoff initiated the broadcast of three and a half hours of live material from Flushing Meadows, Queens.
- NBC's first regular TV schedule began the same day, using an antenna on the Empire State Building with a 55-mile reach.
- World War II diverted television's engineering work to military purposes after Germany invaded Poland in September 1939.
- Television sets became generally affordable for consumers in 1946, after the war's conclusion.
What Happened
On April 30, 1939, RCA and National Broadcasting Company (NBC) boss David Sarnoff initiated the first commercial television broadcast in the United States. The broadcast featured three and a half hours of live material from the New York World's Fair site in the Flushing Meadows area of Queens. NBC's first regular television schedule launched the same day, transmitted from an antenna on top of the Empire State Building in Midtown with an initial reach of approximately 55 miles in all directions.
Why this Matters to You
The launch of commercial television 85 years ago established the foundational technology for a medium that now delivers news, entertainment, and information directly to your home. The initial schedule's mix of daytime and evening programming set a precedent for the daily viewing routines that are now a staple of modern life. The diversion of television engineering to military purposes during World War II may have delayed the medium's widespread adoption, but the post-war availability of affordable sets in 1946 ultimately made television a central fixture in households.
What's Next
Variety is planning a TV Week celebration, which includes events like 'Night in the Writers Room' and an afternoon tea celebrating female directors. Emily Longeretta, Variety's director of features, discussed these plans on the 'Daily Variety' podcast, which is available on multiple platforms including iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The historical site of the first broadcast, Flushing Meadows in Queens, is now the location of the Queens Art Museum.