Television in the United States Gray Television, whose 131 stations cover mostly smaller metropolitan areas reaching only 10% of the population. The five major U.S. broadcast television networks are the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), CBS (formerly known as the Columbia Broadcasting System), the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox) and the CW Television Network. The first and elder three (which are colloquially known as the "Big Three") began as radio networks: NBC and CBS respectively began operations in 1924 and 1927, while ABC was spun off from NBC to Edward J. Noble in 1943 as the Blue Network during FCC inquiries over
Noble Edward Irwin Noble Edward Irwin Noble Edward Irwin (September 29, 1869 – August 10, 1937) was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and Navy Cross recipient. He was born at Greenfield, Ohio on September 29, 1869. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1891, and was wounded in action 1 May 1898 while aboard the in the Battle of Manila Bay. Irwin was also mentioned in the Executive Officer's official report for "intelligent personal work" on vessel repairs after the battle. Noble Irwin commanded in 1914 during the Fourth Battle of Topolobampo, a naval battle between Mexican forces during