History of Commercial Radio

November 2, 2020, marked the 100th anniversary of what is widely recognized as the first commercial radio broadcast when Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh, under the call sign KDKA, broadcast the live returns of the Harding-Cox presidential election.

Over the last century, radio transformed from a cumbersome, experimental medium to a mobile, modern format that ushered in new technologies like television and cellular telephones. Within just four years of the initial KDKA broadcast, 600 stations existed in the U.S. and radio’s rapid popularity contributed to our shared national identity by providing syndicated news, sports, and music. For many, radio was the fastest reliable way to receive updates about national and world events.

Since 1934, the Commission has worked to ensure that radio regulations remain reasonable and current to make way for innovation and evolving technology. Radio continues to be a relevant form of mass communication and remains one of the few free services to anyone with a receiver. The Commission’s approval of new technologies and revitalization of radio regulations will ensure commercial radio is relevant for years to come.