On April 17th, 1989, the Consumer News and Business Channel signed on the air. Today, CNBC is marking its 35th anniversary.
The business news channel is celebrating its long cable news history today. A montage of highlights from the “biggest moments” was published in a video to X.
The outlet’s roots trace back to the Satellite Program Network which debuted in 1989, before later changing its name to Tempo Television. NBC decided to launch the business venture in 1989 in a 50/50 partnership alongside Cablevision with a headquarters located in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
After struggling to get carriage throughout the country, the network purchased the Financial News Network, which had more than double the reach of CNBC in 1991 after FNN filed for Bankruptcy.
At the time of the purchase, CNBC hired roughly 60 of the 300 FNN employees, including Joe Kernen, who still helms the channel’s popular Squawk Box morning show.
What started as a U.S. operation has grown to several different divisions as CNBC holds branches in both Europe and Asia, and also has other international affiliates.
