oldest of the major television networks, founded in 1926 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Radio Broadcasting Company (RCA). Employing approximately 6000 people worldwide, NBC provides network television services to over 200 affiliates and produces live and recorded television programming. Also, NBC owns and operates 13 television stations under license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In addition to the over 200 affiliates and 13 owner-operated stations, NBC Cable owns cable station CNBC, operates MSNBC in conjunction with Microsoft, maintains partial ownership of A&E and the History Channel, and holds a 25% equity stake in Cablevision's Rainbow Programming Incorporated which includes channels such as Bravo, AMC, IFC, and regional news, sports, and entertainment channels. NBC also maintains an online presence and has announced the formation of a new company, NBC Internet, merging its key Internet assets to become the seventh largest Internet site and the first publicly traded Internet company integrated with a major broadcaster. NBC no longer operates a radio network.
