David Sarnoff: Broadcasting Pioneer and Founder of NBC
David Sarnoff was a Russian-born broadcasting pioneer whose reputation as a business tycoon and innovator is legendary. He is best known as the founder of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)—the first major radio broadcasting company in the United States. An immigrant from Vitebsk, Russia in 1898, Sarnoff began his career as a cabin boy on transatlantic ships and worked his way up to the top of a corporate executive. Over the course of his career, he created a spectrum of products and services that forever changed the world of broadcasting.
Despite his humble beginnings, David Sarnoff quickly rose to fame as an innovator, businessman, and leader. Under his directions and vision, NBC went on to become one of the largest media companies in the world. He was one of the first to embrace new media technology and expand broadcasting to the world.
Early Life and Career
David Sarnoff was born in Minsk, Russia (now known as Belarus) in 1891. His family was poor and his father died when he was very young. At age 15, Sarnoff immigrated to the United States with a small amount of cash in his pocket and a trunk filled with clothes. After arriving in New York City, he got a job as an office assistant to a shipping company. He had two years of formal schooling under his belt; however, he was determined to get an education and enrolled in night school while working full time.
He soon developed an interest in electrical engineering and technology, which eventually led to a telegraph operator position at Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America in 1906. There, Sarnoff’s passion and ambition drove him to develop innovative solutions and launch a successful career as a broadcaster. In 1912, he founded the first major commercial radio station—later known as NBC.
The Rise of NBC
In 1921, Sarnoff supervised the construction of the first ever broadcast station in the United States. He soon became the acting president of the radio station, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), which he co-founded in partnership with the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). His quick rise to fame was prompted by the successful airing of the “first public radio concert” on NBC in 1922.
Sarnoff’s success with radio broadcasting led to a move from New York City to New Jersey, and he helped lay the groundwork for the international expansion of NBC. He bought and merged two additional stations—the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS) and the Blue Network—and changed their name to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). This move gave NBC one of the largest radio networks in the world, reaching millions with its programming.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Sarnoff continued to increase NBC’s presence and continued to champion new media technology. He promoted the use of microphone technology, opened an NBC studio in Hollywood, California, and launched the first financial news show. Moreover, Sarnoff established the first newsreel featuring reporters and broadcasts from different parts of the world.
Expansion into Television
In the mid-1930s, Sarnoff helped build the first television set, which he called the “Radio with Pictures.” The next year, he presented the first ever television broadcast at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, announcing that NBC would soon be providing viewers with regularly scheduled television programming.
The success of NBC’s radio and television programming encouraged Sarnoff and RCA to venture into the film production industry. With the help of two prominent Hollywood directors—Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille—Sarnoff established the National Broadcasting Film Corporation in 1939 to produce popular TV series and films.
Later Years
During the early 1950s, Sarnoff and RCA sold off several radio and television stations to settle regulatory disputes. He sold his ABC network to United Paramount Pictures in 1953, which later became ABC Television. In 1966, Sarnoff resigned as RCA chairman after 42 years at the helm.
Despite the sale of his business, Sarnoff maintained a strong presence in the media industry until his death in 1971. He was credited as the creator of color television and helped promote the use of television in everyday life. Moreover, Sarnoff worked to expand the reach of NBC, setting up international broadcasting programs and advising other media outlets.
Legacy of David Sarnoff
During his lifetime, David Sarnoff was awarded several honors for his pioneering work in broadcasting. Radio Times of London voted him the “Greatest Single-Handed Entity in Broadcasting History” in 1971. Other awards included the Presidential Medal of Merit, the Edison Medal of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cable Television Association.
Sarnoff’s legacy lives on to this day. In addition to the numerous awards and honors that he received, he left behind a lasting impact on the media industry. His vision helped shape the world of broadcasting, pioneering the modern-day television and radio industry in the United States. He will always be remembered as a broadcasting pioneer and the founder of NBC.
