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Sarnoff Debuts Commercial TV at 1939 Fair, Paused by War

5/1/2026

45 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

David Sarnoff launched commercial television at the New York World’s Fair on April 30, 1939.
The three-and-a-half-hour broadcast used a giant Empire State Building antenna to reach about 55 miles.
RCA, owner of NBC, marketed the fair to sell TV sets and establish regular programming.
Television development halted after September 1, 1939 when World War II began.
Work resumed in 1946 when TV sets became widely affordable.

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Story summary

David Sarnoff launched commercial television at the New York World’s Fair on April 30, 1939.
The three-and-a-half-hour broadcast used a giant Empire State Building antenna to reach about 55 miles.
RCA, owner of NBC, marketed the fair to sell TV sets and establish regular programming.
Television development halted after September 1, 1939 when World War II began.
Work resumed in 1946 when TV sets became widely affordable.