Is NBC a subsidiary of Comcast?

Yes, as of August 2026, NBC is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) through NBCUniversal. However, Comcast announced in June 2026 that it plans to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky into a separate publicly traded company. When that transaction is completed (expected 2027), NBC will no longer be owned by Comcast. Mike Cavanagh, currently Comcast's co-CEO, will become CEO of the new entity.

Is NBC publicly traded?

NBC itself is not separately traded. Its parent company, Comcast Corporation, trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CMCSA. After the announced spin-off is completed, NBC will be part of a new independently traded company. The cable networks that were formerly part of NBCUniversal (CNBC, MSNBC, USA, E!, SYFY, Golf Channel, Oxygen) now trade separately as Versant (NASDAQ: VSNT) following the January 2026 spin-off.

NBC was founded by RCA under the leadership of David Sarnoff. Sarnoff, a Russian-born American businessman, was president of RCA and is widely regarded as the pioneer of American broadcasting. He envisioned a national network that could deliver programming to households across the country, which became NBC.

What is NBC's market position?

NBC is one of the four major broadcast television networks in the United States, alongside ABC, CBS, and Fox. The network competes for the top spot in primetime ratings among adults 18 to 49. NBC's NFL Sunday Night Football is consistently the most-watched program on American television. NBC News programs including NBC Nightly News and Today are among the most-watched news programs in the country. Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, has 36 million paid subscribers as of 2025.

What happens to NBC after the Comcast spin-off?

After the announced spin-off is completed, NBC will be part of a new publicly traded company that includes NBCUniversal and Sky. This entity will own NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, Peacock, Universal Pictures, Universal theme parks, Bravo, and Sky. Mike Cavanagh will serve as CEO. Comcast will retain up to 19.9% ownership for up to one year, which it plans to monetize over time. The remaining Comcast, led by Michael Angelakis, will focus on broadband, wireless, and business services.

Media & Entertainment

Who Owns NBC?

NBC is owned by Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) through its NBCUniversal division. Comcast acquired a controlling stake in NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2009 and full ownership in 2013. NBC was founded in 1926 by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) under David Sarnoff as the first major broadcast network in the United States. In January 2026, Comcast completed the spin-off of its cable networks (CNBC, MSNBC, USA, E!, SYFY, Golf Channel, Oxygen) into a separate publicly traded company called Versant (NASDAQ: VSNT). In June 2026, Comcast announced a second spin-off that would separate NBCUniversal and Sky into another independent publicly traded company, with Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh becoming CEO of the new entity.

Parent Company

Comcast Corporation

Acquired

2013

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

New York City, New York, United States

NBC Timeline

1926

NBC

Founded by Radio Corporation of America (RCA), David Sarnoff

Founded

2013

Acquired by Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation acquired NBC

Acquired

mid rangemass marketUnited Statesall-agesOfficial Website

Who Owns NBC?

Parent Company: Comcast Corporation
Ownership Type: Subsidiary
Acquisition Year: 2013
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CMCSA

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
NBC	Comcast Corporation	Subsidiary

Where to Buy

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NBC on Amazon

History of NBC

Founded: 1926
Founders: Radio Corporation of America (RCA), David Sarnoff
Acquired by Comcast Corporation: 2013

NBC was founded in 1926 when the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) created the National Broadcasting Company as the first major broadcast network in the United States. David Sarnoff, RCA's president, envisioned a national radio network. NBC launched with 24 affiliate stations and quickly became the dominant force in American radio broadcasting.

In 1939, NBC began regular television broadcasting, becoming the first network to do so in the United States. The network televised the opening of the New York World's Fair, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech. NBC's television operations grew throughout the 1940s and 1950s, establishing the network as a pioneer in the new medium.

In 1943, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) forced RCA to divest one of its two NBC networks due to antitrust concerns. NBC sold its Blue Network, which became the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). NBC retained its Red Network, which continued as NBC.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, NBC established itself as a leader in television programming. The network launched "The Tonight Show" in 1954 (originally hosted by Steve Allen, later Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, and Jimmy Fallon) and "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. NBC also built a strong sports franchise, beginning with broadcasts of Major League Baseball and college football.

In 1986, General Electric acquired RCA for $6.4 billion, bringing NBC under GE ownership. Under GE, NBC expanded into cable television, launching CNBC in 1989 and MSNBC in 1996 (as a joint venture with Microsoft). GE also acquired Universal Pictures in 2004, merging it with NBC to form NBC Universal in 2004.

In 2009, Comcast Corporation agreed to acquire a 51% controlling stake in NBC Universal from General Electric. The deal closed in January 2011, valued at approximately $13.8 billion. Comcast purchased the remaining 49% from GE in March 2013 for approximately $16.7 billion, giving it full ownership of NBCUniversal.

Under Comcast ownership, NBC invested heavily in sports rights, securing NFL Sunday Night Football (the most-watched program in American television), the Olympic Games (through 2032), and the Premier League. Comcast also launched Peacock, NBC's streaming service, in July 2020. Peacock reached 36 million paid subscribers by 2025.

In November 2024, Comcast announced the first spin-off: its cable television networks would become a separate publicly traded company. This was completed on January 2, 2026, creating Versant (NASDAQ: VSNT), which now owns CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, E!, SYFY, Golf Channel, Oxygen, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, and SportsEngine. This separated NBC News from MSNBC and CNBC for the first time since the 1990s, raising questions about whether the news operations would continue to share editorial resources.

In June 2026, Comcast announced a second, larger spin-off. NBCUniversal and Sky would be separated from Comcast's connectivity business into a new publicly traded company. Mike Cavanagh, Comcast's co-CEO, will lead the new entity. This means NBC will become part of an independent media company, no longer tied to Comcast's cable and broadband operations. The transaction is expected to be completed in approximately one year.

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 co-CEO. The Roberts family holds Class B shares with enhanced voting rights. As of January 15, 2026, there were approximately 3.59 billion Class A shares and 9.4 million Class B shares outstanding.

Is Comcast publicly traded?
Yes. Comcast trades on NASDAQ under ticker symbol CMCSA. The company is a component of the S&P 500. As of June 30, 2025, the aggregate market value of shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $130.7 billion.

What is Comcast's annual revenue?
For FY2025, Comcast reported revenue of $123.7 billion, essentially flat compared to FY2024. Net income attributable to Comcast was $20.0 billion, up 23.5% from $16.2 billion in FY2024. Free cash flow reached a record $19.2 billion.

What is Versant Media Group?
On January 2, 2026, Comcast completed the tax-free separation of Versant Media Group (Nasdaq: VSNT), spinning off its cable television networks including CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), USA Network, Golf Channel, E!, SYFY, and Oxygen, along with digital platforms including GolfNow, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, and SportsEngine. Comcast shareholders received one share of Versant for every 25 shares of Comcast.

What does Comcast own?
Comcast owns Xfinity (U.S. broadband, wireless, and video), Comcast Business, Sky (European telecommunications and media), NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Universal Pictures, Universal Destinations and Experiences theme parks, and Bravo. Cable networks including CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, E!, SYFY, Oxygen, and Golf Channel were spun off into Versant Media Group in January 2026.

Who is the CEO of Comcast?
Brian L. Roberts and Mike Cavanagh serve as co-CEOs of Comcast Corporation. Roberts also serves as Chairman. Roberts has been CEO since 2002 and is the son of founder Ralph J. Roberts.

How many people does Comcast employ?
As of December 31, 2025, Comcast had approximately 179,000 full-time and part-time employees on a full-time equivalent basis. Approximately 30% of employees were located in over 30 countries outside the United States.

What is Peacock?
Peacock is Comcast's streaming service, launched in 2020. As of FY2025, Peacock had 44 million paid subscribers, up 22% year-over-year, with revenue of $5.4 billion. Peacock features sports content including the NFL, Premier League, and the NBA, which debuted on NBC and Peacock in 2025. Adjusted EBITDA losses improved by over $700 million in FY2025.

Founded: 1963
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NASDAQ: CMCSA
Revenue: $123.7 billion (FY2025)
Employees: Approximately 179,000

Visit Comcast Corporation website

View full company profile for Comcast Corporation

Where Is NBC Made / Based?

Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States

NBC Categories & Tags

Television Broadcasting Network News Entertainment Comcast

NBC Sustainability & Ethics

NBC operates under Comcast NBCUniversal's corporate sustainability framework. Comcast has set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2035 for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The company measures and reduces the environmental footprint of its operations, sources renewable energy, and is electrifying its fleet.

Sustainable Production: NBC encourages production teams to integrate sustainable practices on set, including sustainable set construction, energy-efficient lighting, and waste reduction during filming. The network's studio operations at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and Universal Studios have implemented recycling and energy management programs.

Environmental Storytelling: NBC uses its programming to raise environmental awareness. The network has aired climate-related content in news programming and has incorporated environmental themes into entertainment shows. NBC's parent company, Comcast NBCUniversal, reports on these efforts in its annual impact reports.

No Brand-Specific Data: NBC does not publish carbon footprint data, energy consumption figures, or waste diversion rates specific to the NBC network. Sustainability data is reported at the Comcast corporate level, not broken out by brand. After the announced spin-off, the new NBCUniversal entity will need to establish its own sustainability reporting framework.

Ethical Concerns: NBC News operates under journalistic ethics standards that require fact-checking, source verification, and editorial independence. However, the network has faced criticism regarding perceived political bias. Media bias rating organizations including AllSides and Media Bias/Fact Check have rated NBC News as leaning left in some coverage areas. NBC has also faced questions about conflicts of interest between its news coverage and corporate interests, particularly given its ownership by Comcast (and previously by General Electric).

Awards & Recognition

NBC has received extensive recognition for its broadcasting and journalism:

Emmy Awards: NBC shows have won numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, including Saturday Night Live (which holds the record for most Emmy nominations of any show in television history), The Tonight Show, and Law and Order franchise series. These awards are publicly verifiable through the Television Academy records.
Peabody Awards: NBC News has received Peabody Awards for journalism excellence, including awards for coverage of major news events and investigative reporting.
Edward R. Murrow Awards: NBC News has received Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association for excellence in journalism.
Sports Emmy Awards: NBC Sports has received Sports Emmy Awards for its coverage of the NFL, Olympics, and Premier League.

The generic awards listed in some previous versions of this page (e.g., "Content Excellence Awards 2026," "Audience Engagement Recognition 2025") appear to be fabricated and cannot be verified through any industry award database. NBC's real awards are well-documented through the Television Academy, Peabody Awards Board, and RTDNA.

NBC Recalls & Controversies

Media Bias Allegations: NBC News has faced ongoing criticism regarding perceived political bias. Media bias rating organizations including AllSides, Media Bias/Fact Check, and Ad Fontes Media have evaluated NBC News, with ratings generally indicating a left-leaning bias in some coverage areas. This is a structural challenge for all major news networks and affects audience trust among viewers who perceive bias.

Matt Lauer Scandal (2017): NBC fired Today Show host Matt Lauer in November 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct. An internal investigation found that Lauer had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple NBC employees. NBC faced criticism for not acting earlier on complaints about Lauer's behavior. The network stated that no NBC News leadership was aware of the complaints prior to the formal allegation that led to Lauer's firing, but some reports contradicted this claim.

Ronan Farrow and Harvey Weinstein (2017): NBC faced significant criticism for declining to publish Ronan Farrow's investigative reporting on Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct allegations. Farrow, then an NBC News contributor, took the story to The New Yorker after NBC declined to run it. The New Yorker published the story in October 2017, and it won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2018. NBC defended its decision by stating that Farrow's reporting did not meet the network's standards at the time, but the incident damaged NBC News's reputation.

Cable Network Spin-off (2026): The January 2026 spin-off of MSNBC and CNBC into Versant separated NBC News from its cable news siblings for the first time since the 1990s. This raised questions about whether NBC News, MSNBC, and CNBC would continue to share editorial resources, reporters, and production infrastructure. NBC News chairman Cesar Conde stated that the news operations would continue to collaborate, but the long-term implications of the separation remain unclear.

NBCUniversal Spin-off Announcement (June 2026): Comcast's announcement of a second spin-off, separating NBCUniversal and Sky from Comcast's connectivity business, introduced significant uncertainty about NBC's future. The new entity will need to establish its own corporate infrastructure, negotiate its own content distribution agreements, and compete independently in the streaming market. Comcast's stock had fallen approximately 30% over the 12 months preceding the announcement, reflecting broader challenges in the media industry.

Olympics Broadcasting Costs: NBC's Olympic Games rights are extremely expensive. The network paid $7.75 billion for Olympic broadcast rights through 2032. While the Olympics generate significant ratings and advertising revenue, they also represent a major financial commitment. NBC's Olympic coverage has sometimes faced criticism for tape-delaying events for U.S. prime time, though the network has improved its live streaming coverage through Peacock.

NBC Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+100-year brand history as the first major broadcast network in the United States
+NFL Sunday Night Football is the most-watched program on American television
+Olympic Games rights through 2032 provide massive audience reach every two years
+Integration with Universal Pictures and Universal theme parks enables cross-promotion
+Peacock streaming service provides a direct-to-consumer distribution channel
+The 2026 spin-off will give NBC more strategic flexibility as part of a pure-play media company

Considerations

-Linear broadcast ratings are declining as viewers shift to streaming
-Cord-cutting is accelerating: Comcast lost 365,000 cable customers in a single quarter in 2024
-The spin-off of MSNBC and CNBC from NBC News creates operational challenges for shared news resources
-Peacock remains smaller than Netflix and Disney+ in the streaming market
-High sports rights costs (NFL, Olympics) create financial pressure
-The second spin-off introduces uncertainty about NBC's long-term corporate structure and funding

Frequently Asked Questions About NBC

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors 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
CBS	Paramount Global	USA	1927	Mass market	United states	All Genders
ABC	Disney	CA (West Coast)	1943	Mass market	United states	All-ages
Channel 9	Nine Entertainment	Australia	1956	Mass market	Australia	All-ages
PeacockSister Brand	Comcast	USA	2020	Mass market	United states	All Genders
Apple TV	Apple	United States	2007	Premium	Global	All Genders
CNN	Warner Bros Discovery	USA	1980	Mass market	Global	All-ages