On This Day

CBS begins broadcasting TV as station W2XAB in New York City

CBS was founded as a radio network in 1927 and then expanded to television in the 1940s.

CBS was founded as a radio network in 1927 and then expanded to television in the 1940s. Although it primarily remained an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: CBS) throughout most of the 20th century, Paramount Pictures temporarily held a 49% ownership stake from 1929 to 1932. However, in 1995 the Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired the company, becoming CBS Corporation (after selling certain assets). In 2000, CBS sold again to the original incarnation of Viacom (formed as a spin-off of CBS in 1971, which acquired Paramount Pictures in 1994). In 2005, Viacom split itself into two separate companies and re-established CBS Corporation.

Historical Significance

CBS was founded as a radio network in 1927 and then expanded to television in the 1940s.

Events Before

  1. Jim Bakker is born

    Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

  2. American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

    American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

  3. Adolf Hitler threatens Jews during his speech to the German Reichstag (Parliament)

    Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany during the Nazi era, which lasted from 1933 until his suicide in 1945.

  4. American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey

    American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey City, New Jersey; divorce in 1951

  5. Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

    Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

Events After

  1. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address, outlining fr

    US President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address, outlining freedom of speech and worship and freedom from want and fear [1] [2]

  2. New Fourth Army Incident: Chinese Kuomintang forces under orders from Chiang Kai-shek fire on the surrounded Communist N

    New Fourth Army Incident: Chinese Kuomintang forces under orders from Chiang Kai-shek fire on the surrounded Communist New Fourth Army at Maolin, Anhui Province, killing or capturing about 7,000 troops

  3. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra first record "Take the 'A' Train" written by Billy Strayhorn, at RCA Studio in Hollywoo

    Duke Ellington and his Orchestra first record "Take the 'A' Train" written by Billy Strayhorn, at RCA Studio in Hollywood, California; it goes on to become his signature tune

  4. Future CIA Director William J. Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz

    Future CIA Director William J. Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz

  5. American Actress Hattie McDaniel (45) weds real estate salesman James Lloyd Crawford; divorced 1945

    American Actress Hattie McDaniel (45) weds real estate salesman James Lloyd Crawford; divorced 1945

More from the 1940s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 4, 1940?
CBS was founded as a radio network in 1927 and then expanded to television in the 1940s. Although it primarily remained an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: CBS) throughout most of the 20th century, Paramount Pictures temporarily held a 49% ownership stake from 1929 to 1932. However, in 1995 the Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired the company, becoming CBS Corporation (after selling certain assets).
Why is CBS begins broadcasting TV as station W2XAB in New York City significant?
CBS was founded as a radio network in 1927 and then expanded to television in the 1940s.

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