The story of NBC and Universal involves two visionary entrepreneurs.
David Sarnoff the founder of NBC and Carl Laemmle who created Universal.
A third visionary entrepreneur, Ralph Roberts set in motion an American success
story called Comcast. All three companies were founded by men of humble origins
who were propelled by their visions of a new industry. In 1905, Carl Laemmle
noticed a large crowd waiting in line for a moving picture show. After learning
how inexpensive it was to project movies, Laemmle decided to rent a storefront and
on February 24th 1906 The White Front Theater officially opened. Three years
later Laemmle hired a director and together with a second-hand camera they
produced his first film, Hiawatha. At 10 o'clock on Monday morning March 15, 1915
Carl Laemmle unlocked the gates to Universal City. Carl Laemmle was now in
the movie business.
I am Dracula
[scream]
"Glad to meet you kid, you're a real horses ass."
"You're kind of cute yourself."
"I don't want you fighting."
"I'm home."
"I just saw a vision."
1915, David Sarnoff proposed a radio broadcasting
service that would bring entertainment into the home. His idea was rejected
six years later Sarnoff arranged for the radio broadcasts of a heavyweight boxing
match between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier. Over 300,000 people heard the
fight and demand for radio boom.
In 1926, Sarnoff launched the National
Broadcasting Company, the first radio network in America. NBC introduced
television at the 1939, New York World's Fair and became the first television
network in the United States. David Sarnoff created NBC and changed American life forever.
[music]
"Now that's the first thing you said right." "I don't even know what I'm talking about!"
Ralph Roberts was approached by Daniel Erin and Pete Musser in 1962, with a
community antenna television system that was for sale in Tupelo Mississippi.
Roberts asked "What's community antenna television and where is Tupelo?" After
doing a bit of research he decided to buy it
years later Robert said "When I saw people running down the street chasing
our trucks, I knew people were eager to get cable." Ralph Roberts transformed a
single cable franchise into one of the nation's leading communications and
media companies. Giving customers more control, more choices, of what they want
when they want it.
Today, NBC Universal is a leader in the
creation and distribution of entertainment, news, and sports programming
for a global audience. Extraordinarily talented people telling compelling
stories has always been and still is the essence of NBCUniversal.
It's a remarkable journey, one that spans nearly a century. A legacy that belongs to
each and every one of us, and the best years are yet to come.
Three extraordinary visionaries, three tremendous success stories, now one great company.