For many decades in the United States, television was dominated by what was called "the big three" stations; CBS, ABC and NBC. Two of these stations, NBC and CBS, were around since the 1920s (starting as as radio networks), the third one, ABC, was a spin off from NBC in 1943.
In the first season of television, 1946-1947, broadcasts were only shown in prime time and NBC was the only station. From 1948-1954, all three networks started showing broadcasts and the broadcasing schedules expanded to weekdays.
In 1954, we see the advent of late night TV with NBC as they begin with the ever popular Tonight Show with Steve Allen. In 1957, Jack Parr became host of the program and from 1962-1992, Johnny Carson was the ever popular host before Jay Leno.
Starting in 1960, there was another change in the program schedule with the start of Saturday morning programs. Popular with children throughout the decades, Saturday morning programing consisted of shows for kids and created great memories.
In 1970, another television station made it's debut. Public Broadcasting Station, PBS for short, was different from it's counterparts in that it has no central program production arm or news department. It also consists of educational shows, documentaries and other cultural entertainment such as symphony concerts, ballets and operas. A television station with edgier program made it's debut in 1986 that was owned by Fox Entertainment Group. Even though they were never a part of the "big three", they enjoyed much success.
Today, cable TV, with it's round the clock broadcasts and wide variety of programs, surpasses the "big three" in popularity. Among the wide variety of channels include Educational channels such as the History, Science, Discovery and The Learning Channel. Others include, food and cooking channels, travel, cartoon, home improvement and movie channels.
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