The National Broadcasting Company's NBC Radio Network was an American commercial radio network which was in continuous operation from 1926 through 1999. Along with the NBC Blue Network, it was one of the first two nationwide networks established in the United States. Its major competitors were the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), founded in 1927, and the Mutual Broadcasting System, founded in 1934. In 1942, NBC was required to divest one of its national networks, so it sold NBC Blue, which was soon renamed the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). After this separation, the Red Network continued as the NBC Radio Network.
The Eveready Hour announcer Helen Hahn in the WEAF studios, c. 1922
WEAF announcer Graham McNamee calling the 1924 World Series for the "WEAF chain"
The Aeolian Hall in New York City was home to WJY–WJZ and the "WJZ chain" of the "radio group".
The WEAF (red) and WJZ (blue) chains in 1926
The Blue Network was the on-air name of a now defunct American radio network, which broadcast from 1927 through 1945.
NBC networks, 1933
Advertisement placed by the Enna Jettick Shoe Company promoting the appearance of Sir Harry Lauder on its NBC Blue program, December 1, 1929. Note that the text implies that the NBC Blue, NBC Orange (West Coast) and NBC Red networks were all participating in the broadcast.
Advertisement advertising the debut of the Lux Radio Theatre, which had a brief run on NBC Blue in 1934–35 before moving for a long run on CBS.
This 1944 advertisement for KATE in Albert Lea, Minnesota, while it dates from after the sale by NBC of the Blue Network, shows how the Blue Network continued to have access to NBC facilities; in this case, the famed radio studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
