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The Radio Act of 1912 created a licensing system to control radio transmissions, favoring military and big business while sidelining amateur operators. This began federal regulation of broadcasting.
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Westinghouse’s KDKA station in Pittsburgh made the first commercial radio broadcast, airing election results. This marked the birth of broadcasting as a mass communication medium.
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The Radio Act of 1927 created the FRC (later FCC), which enforced the “public interest, convenience, and necessity” standard—favoring commercial broadcasters and shaping U.S. media policy.
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RCA introduced television to the public at the 1939 World’s Fair. FDR’s televised speech demonstrated TV’s future as a political and cultural force.
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From 1948–1952, the FCC froze new TV licenses to prevent airwave clutter. This delay gave networks time to dominate markets and left independent/educational stations behind.
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“I Love Lucy” introduced the three-camera system and live-audience format. It broke records and reshaped sitcom production.
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Sponsors were caught rigging quiz shows like Twenty-One for ratings. Congressional hearings led to networks taking more control and shifted the sponsorship model.