This is the CBS section of
The Broadcast Archive

Maintained by:
Barry Mishkind - The Eclectic Engineer
Last Updated 2/14/03

CBS history started on January 27, 1927, as United Independent Broadcasters, Inc.

Even before United got started, the Columbia Phonograph Co. had become interested in the venture. The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System, which was to act as sales agent for United, was organized in April of 1927. United contracted to pay each of the original 16 stations $500 per week for 10 hours of radio time. Soon the Sales agent could not sell enough air time and the network was near collapse after only a few months.

The Columbia phonograph company then withdrew from the project with the sale of all capital stock which United bought and then renamed the company the Columbia Broadcasting System. William S. Paley and his family then bought the majority of CBS stock and the network began to grow. In 199x CBS was sold to Westinghouse.

Sunday, September 18, 1927: CBS made its first network broadcast at 3 PM EST.

  • 16 stations were on board for Opening Day. 
  • Originating station: WOR Newark (the first control room was in the men's room)
  • Other Stations:
    • WEAN Providence
    • WNAC Boston
    • WFBL Syracuse
    • WMAK Buffalo-Lockport
    • WCAU Philadelphia
    • WJAS Pittsburgh
    • WADC Akron
    • WAIU Columbia
    • WKRC Cincinati
    • WGHP Detroit
    • WMAQ Chicago
    • KMOX St. Louis
    • WCAO Baltimore
    • KOIL Council Bluffs
    • WOWO Fort Wayne

12/15/28: WABC New York (O&O) replaces WOR.

CBS featured its own 22 piece symphony orchestra, led by conductor Howard Barlow. Master of Ceremonies on opening day was Major J. Andrew White, who also served as Vice President of the new chain. The Opening Day programming featured a performance of "The King's Henchman", performed by a cast of performers from the Metropolitan Opera. Other programs featured classical selections by members of the New York Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Columbia was known as the "Purple Network" (from the color coding on the AT&T diagrams).

Among the first networks to truly realize the power of news and to develop its use, CBS News through WWII is Frank Absher's look at the rise of network news.

Other interesting events in the CBS timeline:

January 1941, CBS started a Latin American net of 39 longwave and 25 shortwave stations in 18 countries.

1946: Flagship AM station in New  York City changes calls to WCBS.

1975(?): along with the other networks, CBS sought the youth market with RadioRadio. These newscasts ran at :50.

November 1995: Acquired by Westinghouse.

June 1996: CBS Radio was made part of newly acquired Infinity Broadcasting, and then "spun off" as a CBS subsidiary. 

December 1997: Westinghouse is officially renamed CBS Corporation.

2000: Acquired by Viacom.

 

Want to know more about Oldradio.com?  

Or, just need to get BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE?

Thanks for visiting ... I hope you find the site interesting!

Copyright 1993-2006, 2007  by Barry Mishkind. This material on this site should not be reproduced or reposted in whole or part without express approval.

It would be a kindness if you'd take a moment and let me know who you are and what interests you have. If you can share some information, or even a picture, that would be great! Just use the address below. Thanks. (Please note: Due to the huge amount of spam on the internet, it would be extremely helpful if you would use something like [Oldradio] in your subject line, so the filters don't get in the way.)

An important note about this resource:

We have used many sources, including FCC files, university lecturers, historical publications and more, and have tried to be as accurate as possible, not repeating many of the myths of the industry (such as the Uncle Don Story) nor histories "manufactured" by promotion departments. However, I am not perfect, and may well have overlooked something. If you do see an error or omission, please let me know.

The accuracy and expansion of this resource depend upon our SHARING our efforts.

  • If you can help, please share your materials or information.
  • Due to the huge amount of spam on the internet, please use something like [Oldradio] in your subject line. 

  • Thanks a megaWatt!
  • snailmail:

    Barry Mishkind
    2033 S. Augusta Place
    Tucson, Arizona 85710