Big Three Television Networks
Encyclopedia
The Big Three Television Networks are the three traditional commercial broadcast
(over the air) television network
s in the United States
: ABC
, CBS
and NBC
. From the 1950s to the early 1990s, the Big Three dominated U.S television.
s in the 1920s, with NBC eventually encompassing two national radio networks, the prestige Red Network
and lower profile Blue Network
. They gradually began experimental television station
s in the 1940s. ABC was spun off from NBC in 1943 when the US government determined that NBC's two-network setup was anticompetitive; NBC chose to sell off the Blue Network operations, which became ABC.
All three networks began regular television broadcasts in the 1940s. NBC began operations in 1946, followed by CBS and ABC in 1948. The three networks originally controlled only a few local television stations, but they swiftly affiliated with other stations to cover almost the entire United States by the late 1950s.
was aired by one of the Big Three Networks. There were attempts by other companies, such as the Overmyer Network
, to enter the television medium, but other than the DuMont Television Network
all lasted for brief periods. The prohibitive cost of starting a broadcast network
, coupled with the difficulty of competing with the massive distribution of the Big Three Networks, and the infancy and complexities of UHF broadcasting before cable became commonplace in the 1980s, led to the downfall of almost all new companies. Those that did have the resources to compete, such as Canada
's CTV Television Network
(which briefly attempted an American expansion via WNYP-26 in Buffalo, New York, now a religious station), were forced off the air through legal threats.
Although PBS could be considered a "fourth network
" , a viable fourth network would not again become competitive with the Big Three until Fox
was founded in 1986 (from some of the assets/remnants of the DuMont network, which became Metromedia
after DuMont folded). Since its founding, Fox has surpassed ABC and NBC in the ratings during the primetime hours in which it competes, becoming number two to CBS. In the 2007-2008 season, Fox was number one, but it lost the spot as a close second in the last 2008-2009 season. Despite its ratings, however, Fox is not considered part of the Big Three. Among Fox's differences with the Big Three is its weekday programming, which lacks a morning newscast
, daytime programming, an evening newscast, a third hour of primetime
, and late-night talk show
s. Local affiliates either produce their own programming during these times or run syndicated shows. However, given the network's success in its prime time and sports offerings, it has been occasionally included with the Big Three, in which case the phrase "Big Four" is used.
Today, the "Big Three" control only a (relatively) small portion of the market, estimated at a combined 32% in 2005. With broadcast competitors such as Fox, The CW
, and MyNetworkTV
, satellite and cable companies, the Big Three's market share has dwindled considerably.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
(over the air) television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
: ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. From the 1950s to the early 1990s, the Big Three dominated U.S television.
Backgrounds
NBC and CBS were founded as radio networkRadio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
s in the 1920s, with NBC eventually encompassing two national radio networks, the prestige Red Network
NBC Red Network
The NBC Red Network was one of the two original radio networks of the National Broadcasting Company. After NBC was required to divest itself of its Blue Network , the Red Network continued as the NBC Radio Network.It, along with the Blue Network, were the first two commercial radio networks in the...
and lower profile Blue Network
Blue Network
The Blue Network, and its immediate predecessor, the NBC Blue Network, were the on-air names of an American radio production and distribution service from 1927 to 1945...
. They gradually began experimental television station
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
s in the 1940s. ABC was spun off from NBC in 1943 when the US government determined that NBC's two-network setup was anticompetitive; NBC chose to sell off the Blue Network operations, which became ABC.
All three networks began regular television broadcasts in the 1940s. NBC began operations in 1946, followed by CBS and ABC in 1948. The three networks originally controlled only a few local television stations, but they swiftly affiliated with other stations to cover almost the entire United States by the late 1950s.
Competition from other networks
For most of US television history, the Big Three dominated US television, controlling up to 99% of television broadcasting. During the 1950s and lasting until the early 1990s, every hit series appearing in the top 20 Nielsen ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
was aired by one of the Big Three Networks. There were attempts by other companies, such as the Overmyer Network
Overmyer Network
The Overmyer Network was a short-lived television network. It was intended to be a fourth national network in the United States, competing with the Big Three television networks. The network was founded by self-made millionaire Daniel H. Overmyer, who built five UHF stations from 1965-67...
, to enter the television medium, but other than the DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
all lasted for brief periods. The prohibitive cost of starting a broadcast network
Broadcast network
A broadcast network is an organization, such as a corporation or other voluntary association, that provides live television or recorded content, such as movies, newscasts, sports, Public affairs programming, and other television programs for broadcast over a group of radio stations or television...
, coupled with the difficulty of competing with the massive distribution of the Big Three Networks, and the infancy and complexities of UHF broadcasting before cable became commonplace in the 1980s, led to the downfall of almost all new companies. Those that did have the resources to compete, such as Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's CTV Television Network
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
(which briefly attempted an American expansion via WNYP-26 in Buffalo, New York, now a religious station), were forced off the air through legal threats.
Although PBS could be considered a "fourth network
Fourth television network
In American television terminology, a fourth network is a reference to a fourth broadcast television network, as opposed to the Big Three television networks that dominated US TV from the 1950s to the 1990s: ABC, CBS, and NBC....
" , a viable fourth network would not again become competitive with the Big Three until Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
was founded in 1986 (from some of the assets/remnants of the DuMont network, which became Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
after DuMont folded). Since its founding, Fox has surpassed ABC and NBC in the ratings during the primetime hours in which it competes, becoming number two to CBS. In the 2007-2008 season, Fox was number one, but it lost the spot as a close second in the last 2008-2009 season. Despite its ratings, however, Fox is not considered part of the Big Three. Among Fox's differences with the Big Three is its weekday programming, which lacks a morning newscast
Breakfast television
Breakfast television or morning show , is a type of infotainment television program, broadcast live in the morning...
, daytime programming, an evening newscast, a third hour of primetime
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
, and late-night talk show
Late-night talk show
In American television, the late-night talk show is a specific kind of comedy-oriented talk and variety show that airs late at night. Characteristics of the genre include topical monologues in which the host makes fun of the day's news, comedy sketches, celebrity interviews, and musical performances...
s. Local affiliates either produce their own programming during these times or run syndicated shows. However, given the network's success in its prime time and sports offerings, it has been occasionally included with the Big Three, in which case the phrase "Big Four" is used.
Today, the "Big Three" control only a (relatively) small portion of the market, estimated at a combined 32% in 2005. With broadcast competitors such as Fox, The CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
, and MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
, satellite and cable companies, the Big Three's market share has dwindled considerably.