Network Programming

Before Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver '30 revolutionized network television programming in 1952, NBC, CBS, and ABC were simply broadcasting facilities that sold time to ad agencies and their powerful clients. Pat Weaver left advertising giant Young & Rubicam, took charge at NBC-TV, and gave us the "Today" show, the "Home" show, and the "Tonight" show. Shortly after, NBC was selling 18 hours of programming from morning till night, coast to coast.

Now, 42 years later, Weaver has retired to California, but two of his three shows are still running and banking millions for NBC. Weaver not only invented the shows, he also signed up founding host Dave Garroway and telechimp J. Fred Luggs, and built "Today" its original studio behind plate-glass windows at street level in Rockefeller Center. What goes around comes around: Later this year the "Today" show is moving to a street-level studio in Rockefeller Center.

(P.S.: Pat Weaver also gave the world Sigourney Weaver.)

Weaver (shown with daughter Sigourney) innovated the first telechimp.