Who Owns NBC?
NBC is owned by Comcast Corporation, a publicly traded American telecommunications conglomerate. NBC operates as Comcast's flagship broadcast television network through NBCUniversal. Comcast is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA and trades on NASDAQ under CMCSA.
Parent Company
Comcast Corporation
Founded
1926
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns NBC?
- Parent Company: Comcast Corporation
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CMCSA
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| NBC | Comcast Corporation | Subsidiary |
History of NBC
- Founded: 1926
- Founders: Radio Corporation of America (RCA), David Sarnoff
NBC traces its origins to 1926 when the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) formed the National Broadcasting Company as the first major broadcast network in the United States. Under the leadership of David Sarnoff, NBC pioneered radio broadcasting and became a dominant force in American media.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, NBC expanded into television broadcasting, launching the first regular television broadcasts in the United States. The network introduced iconic programming and became known for its innovation in broadcasting technology and content development.
In 1943, due to antitrust concerns, NBC was forced to sell its Blue Network, which became ABC. NBC retained its Red Network, which continued as the NBC network. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, NBC established itself as a leader in television programming with shows like "The Tonight Show," "Saturday Night Live," and major sports coverage.
The network changed ownership multiple times, including acquisition by General Electric in 1986. Under GE's ownership, NBC continued to innovate with cable channels like MSNBC and CNBC. In 2009, Comcast acquired a controlling stake in NBC Universal from GE, eventually acquiring full ownership in 2013.
About Comcast Corporation
Who owns Comcast?
Comcast is a publicly traded company with no parent company. Brian L. Roberts, son of founder Ralph J. Roberts, serves as Chairman and CEO and holds Class B shares with enhanced voting rights. The company trades on NASDAQ under CMCSA.
Is Comcast publicly traded?
Yes. Comcast trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CMCSA. The company is a component of the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100.
What is SpinCo?
In January 2025, Comcast announced plans to spin off most of its cable television networks, including MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, USA Network, E!, Syfy, and Oxygen, into a separate publicly traded company referred to as SpinCo. Comcast will retain NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Universal Pictures, and the theme park businesses.
What does Comcast own?
Comcast owns Xfinity (U.S. broadband and cable), NBCUniversal (NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Universal Pictures, Universal Studios theme parks, and cable networks), and Sky (European telecommunications and media in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Italy).
When was Comcast founded?
Comcast was founded in 1963 as American Cable Systems by Ralph J. Roberts, Daniel Aaron, and Julian A. Brodsky. The company was renamed Comcast Corporation in 1969.
- Founded: 1963
- Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: CMCSA
Where Is NBC Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Brands Owned by Comcast Corporation
- Bravo - American cable television network owned by Comcast Corporation's NBCUniversal di...
- CNBC - American cable business and financial news network owned by Comcast Corporation'...
- MSNBC - American cable news network being spun off from NBCUniversal as part of the new ...
- Peacock - Streaming platform owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, l...
- Sky - European telecommunications and media company owned by Comcast Corporation, prov...
- Telemundo - Spanish-language television network owned by Comcast Corporation's NBCUniversal ...
- Universal Pictures - American film production and distribution company owned by Comcast Corporation's...
- USA Network - American cable television network owned by Comcast Corporation's NBCUniversal di...
- Xfinity - American telecommunications brand providing cable television, high-speed interne...
NBC Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Major broadcast network with nationwide reach and affiliate relationships
- +Prestigious news division with trusted journalism and investigative reporting
- +Strong entertainment programming with popular shows and sports coverage
- +Integration with Universal Pictures and theme parks for cross-promotion
- +Backed by Comcast's financial resources and telecommunications infrastructure
Considerations
- -Declining broadcast television viewership due to streaming competition
- -High programming costs and production expenses for premium content
- -Competition from streaming services and digital entertainment platforms
- -Regulatory scrutiny over media concentration and cross-ownership
- -Balance between traditional broadcast and digital transformation
Frequently Asked Questions About NBC
Where to Buy
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NBC on AmazonCompetitors to NBC
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Paramount Global | USA | 1927 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Fox | USA | 1994 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Disney | USA | 1939 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Amazon | USA | 1924 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Paramount Global | USA (studio) | 1912 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Apple TV
Owned by Apple Inc.
Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering access to movies, TV shows, and original content through Apple TV+ and other streaming apps.
CBS
Owned by Paramount Global
American commercial broadcast television network and flagship property of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group.
Fox Sports
Owned by Fox Corporation
American cable sports network and broadcasting division offering live sports programming, analysis, and coverage of major sporting events.
Marvel
Owned by The Walt Disney Company
American entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known for superhero films, television series, and comic book characters.
MGM
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
American film and television production company known for iconic film franchises, television content, and entertainment properties.
Paramount
Owned by Paramount Global
American film and television studio founded in 1912, flagship brand of Paramount Global, which merged with Skydance Media in a transaction completed in January 2025.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: NBC competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Comcast Corporation Stock Information
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