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(Monday, September 13, 1926) — The Radio Corporation of America today announced the organization of the National Broadcasting Company, Inc., a new enterprise designed to extend radio broadcasting on a nationwide basis and provide what company officials described as a permanent source of higher-quality programs for listeners.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by Owen D. Young, chairman of the RCA board, and James G. Harbord, president of the corporation. At the same time, large advertisements appeared in newspapers across the country proclaiming: “Announcing the National Broadcasting Company, Inc.”

According to the statement, the new company will formally begin operations on Nov. 15, when RCA expects to complete its acquisition of New York radio station WEAF. The station will serve as the principal outlet for programs that the company intends to distribute to other broadcasting stations wherever practical.

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RCA declared that the purpose of the new organization “will be to provide the best program available for broadcasting in the United States,” adding that the broadcasts will be made available to affiliated stations throughout the country whenever arrangements permit.

Company officials also expressed the hope that the new network would make it possible for events of national importance to be heard simultaneously by audiences across the United States, marking a significant expansion in the reach of radio broadcasting.

The establishment of the National Broadcasting Company is regarded as one of the most ambitious developments yet undertaken in the rapidly growing radio industry and is expected to strengthen the use of network broadcasting as a means of delivering entertainment, music, educational features, and public events to listeners nationwide.