History of CNBC in Timeline

CNBC is an American business news channel owned by NBCUniversal News Group, a division of Comcast. It provides business news and analysis throughout the day, with documentaries, reality TV, and some sports programming during off-peak hours. The network also operates CNBC.com, a financial news website offering articles, videos, podcasts, and subscription services. CNBC is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and maintains a studio at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York City.

June 1988: NBC Leases Tempo Television's Transponder

In June 1988, NBC opted to lease Tempo Television's transponder as the platform for the future CNBC channel, after initially considering acquiring Tempo.

April 17, 1989: CNBC Relaunch

On April 17, 1989, under the guidance of Tom Rogers, the channel was relaunched as the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), with Neil Cavuto as the anchor of the inaugural broadcast.

March 2, 1991: FNN Files for Bankruptcy

On March 2, 1991, the Financial News Network (FNN) filed for bankruptcy protection following an accounting scandal and put itself up for sale.

May 21, 1991: CNBC Acquires FNN

On May 21, 1991, CNBC was awarded FNN by a bankruptcy judge for $154.3 million after a bidding war. CNBC then merged the two operations.

1992: CNBC Simulcasted Olympics Triplecast

During NBC's coverage of the 1992 Summer Olympics, CNBC simulcasted coverage of the Olympics Triplecast as a whip around format with no audio.

August 1993: Roger Ailes Hired as CNBC President

In August 1993, Roger Ailes was hired as the president of CNBC, with the task of turning around the struggling network.

June 1995: CNBC Asia Launch

In June 1995, CNBC launched CNBC Asia, based in Hong Kong.

January 1996: Roger Ailes Resigns from CNBC

In January 1996, Roger Ailes resigned as president of CNBC due to disagreements with management, including the decision to form a joint venture with Microsoft and rebrand "America's Talking" as MSNBC.

March 1996: CNBC Europe Launch

In March 1996, CNBC Europe, headquartered in London, was launched.

1996: Previous CNBC Logo Update

The CNBC rebranding on December 11, 2023, was the first logo update since 1996.

December 1997: CNBC Forms Strategic Alliance with Dow Jones

In December 1997, CNBC formed a strategic alliance with Dow Jones, which included content sharing and the rebranding of the channel. Dow Jones merged their business news channels into CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia, and CNBC relocated CNBC Asia to Singapore.

1997: CNBC Used for Post-Game Analysis Programming

Beginning with the 1997 World Series, NBC would utilize CNBC for their post-game analysis programming.

2000: CNBC Carries Olympic Games Coverage

Beginning in 2000, CNBC has carried portions of NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games outside of business day hours.

2000: CNBC's Summer Olympics Coverage Focused on Boxing

CNBC's 2000 Summer Olympics coverage focused heavily on boxing. Combined with MSNBC, the networks carried 176 original hours of Olympic programming.

2000: CNBC Used Same Olympic Format

In 2000, CNBC used the same format as the 2000 Summer Olympics for the 2002 Winter Olympics, however instead of focusing on Boxing, the network focused on Hockey. CNBC and MSNBC combined for 207 hours of programming.

2000: CNBC Ratings Peak

In 2000, CNBC's ratings reached their highest daytime viewership, with 343,000 viewers.

2001: CNBC Website Operated by MSN

From 2001, the CNBC website was operated by MSN.

2001: CNBC stores first launched

In 2001, CNBC announced the initial launch of CNBC stores, with plans to establish up to 100 airport locations throughout the United States.

2001: CNBC Televises Senior PGA Tour Events

In 2001, CNBC began a four-year deal to televise events from the Senior PGA Tour, either live or tape delayed, with early-round coverage broadcast on cable feeds of Pax. CNBC president Bill Bolster aimed to reduce the network's reliance on paid programming on weekends, while PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem noted the compatibility between golf and business audiences.

2002: CNBC Focused on Hockey

In 2002, CNBC used the same format as the 2000 Summer Olympics for the 2002 Winter Olympics, however instead of focusing on Boxing, the network focused on Hockey. CNBC and MSNBC combined for 207 hours of programming.

2002: CNBC Ratings Decline

In 2002, CNBC's ratings experienced a significant drop of 44% following the burst of the dot-com bubble.

August 2003: CNBC Signs Deal with AccuWeather

In August 2003, CNBC entered into an agreement with AccuWeather to provide weather content.

October 2003: CNBC Moves World Headquarters

In October 2003, CNBC relocated its world headquarters from Fort Lee to a new digital video production studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

2003: CNBC Ratings Continue to Fall

In 2003, CNBC's ratings decreased by another 5%, continuing the decline after the dot-com bubble burst.

2004: CNBC Carried Olympic Programming During the 2004 Summer Olympics

During the 2004 Summer Olympics, CNBC carried 111 hours of Olympic programming, focusing on boxing during weekdays and featuring coverage of beach volleyball, soccer, and taekwondo on weekends.

2005: NBC Universal Reacquires Control of CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia

At the end of 2005, NBC Universal reacquired full control of CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia from Dow Jones, which were loss-making at the time.

2005: CNBC Shows NBA Playoffs Coverage

Beginning in the 2005–06 season, CNBC showed coverage of the NBA playoffs, produced as part of the NBA on NBC package.

2005: CNBC Ratings Bottom Out

In the first quarter of 2005, CNBC's ratings reached their lowest point, with an average daytime viewership of 134,000.

September 2006: Launch of FTSE CNBC Global 300 Index

In September 2006, CNBC, in conjunction with FTSE Group, launched the FTSE CNBC Global 300 stock market index.

2006: CNBC Carried Olympic Programming During the 2006 Winter Olympics

During the 2006 Winter Olympics, CNBC carried 61 hours of Olympic programming, focusing on curling during weekdays and hockey during weekends.

2006: CNBC Website Operation Ends with MSN

In 2006, the operation of the CNBC website by MSN came to an end.

June 1, 2007: CNBC Africa Launched

On June 1, 2007, CNBC Africa was launched.

October 10, 2007: CNBC HD launched on DirecTV

On October 10, 2007, CNBC HD, a 1080i high-definition television simulcast of CNBC, was launched, first on DirecTV.

October 22, 2007: CNBC Investor Network Introduced

On October 22, 2007, CNBC introduced the "CNBC Investor Network", a network of webcams in financial institutions for instantaneous interviews.

December 2007: CNBC Forms Content Partnership with Yahoo! Finance

In December 2007, CNBC established a content partnership with Yahoo! Finance.

2007: CNBC Profits and Ratings Hit All-Time High

In 2007, CNBC's profits exceeded $333 million, and the network's ratings hit an all-time high.

2007: Jim Cramer's stock picks underperform the market

In 2007, an article in Barron's reported that Jim Cramer's stock picks had underperformed the market over the previous two years. Viewers holding Cramer's stocks saw a 12% increase, while the Dow rose 22% and the S&P 500 rose 16%.

January 2008: CNBC Forms Content Partnership with The New York Times

In January 2008, CNBC partnered with The New York Times to combat increased competition from News Corporation.

May 2008: CNBC Forms Content Partnership with AOL

In May 2008, CNBC entered into a content partnership with AOL.

2008: CNBC Carried Olympic Programming During the 2008 Summer Olympics

During the 2008 Summer Olympics, CNBC carried 95.5 hours of Olympic coverage, primarily focusing on boxing during the prime time 5-8PM ET slot, and also carrying softball, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and badminton during the overnight hours.

2008: CNBC Daytime Viewership Reaches Seven-Year High

In the first quarter of 2008, CNBC's average daytime viewership reached a seven-year high of 310,000 viewers.

2009: CNBC Ratings Plummet Due to Economic News

In 2009, CNBC's ratings experienced a sharp decline as the network broadcast negative economic news resulting from the Great Recession.

January 2010: Launch of SBS-CNBC Korean Language Channel

In January 2010, SBS-CNBC, a Korean language channel, was launched, marking the fifteenth CNBC-branded channel worldwide.

July 2010: BT Signs Content Distribution Contract with CNBC Europe

In July 2010, BT signed a five-year contract with CNBC Europe to distribute content from its London headquarters.

2010: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2010 Winter Olympics

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, CNBC carried 100.5 hours of Olympic coverage, mainly focusing on curling, but also carrying coverage of Ice Hockey and biathlon.

2010: Curling Gained Cult Following

In 2010, The frequent delegation of curling coverage to CNBC during the 2010 Winter Olympics helped the sport gain a cult following among the business community.

2011: CNBC Shows Stanley Cup Playoffs Coverage

Beginning in the 2011–12 season, CNBC showed coverage of the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs, produced as part of the NHL on NBC package.

2011: CNBC Wins Award at International Broadcasting Convention

In 2011, CNBC was recognized at the International Broadcasting Convention for its CNBC 4D interactive motion tracking technology.

June 2012: CNBC Expands Partnership with Yahoo! Finance

In June 2012, CNBC expanded its partnership with Yahoo! Finance to increase online viewership.

2012: CNBC Carried Olympic Programming During the 2012 Summer Olympics

During the 2012 Summer Olympics, CNBC carried 73 hours of Olympic coverage, focusing exclusively on boxing.

2012: CNBC Aired Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby

In 2012, CNBC aired the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and the Arkansas Derby.

2012: Dow Jones Licensing Agreement with CNBC U.S. Expires

In 2012, the licensing agreement between Dow Jones and CNBC U.S. expired.

2013: Maria Bartiromo Leaves CNBC for Fox Business

In 2013, Maria Bartiromo departed from CNBC to join Fox Business.

2013: CNBC Disruptor 50 List Launched

Since 2013, CNBC publishes the annual CNBC Disruptor 50 list.

October 13, 2014: CNBC switches to 16:9 letterbox presentation

On October 13, 2014, CNBC transitioned to a full 16:9 letterbox presentation, aligning with CNBC Asia and CNBC Europe.

2014: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2014 Winter Olympics

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, CNBC carried 36 hours of Olympic coverage, focusing exclusively on curling.

2014: CNBC25 List Launched

Since 2014, CNBC publishes the annual CNBC25 list.

January 6, 2015: CNBC Changes Ratings Calculation Method

On January 6, 2015, CNBC switched from Nielsen ratings to a Cogent Research system for business day programming, surveying financial advisors and investors to measure out-of-home viewership, while Nielsen remained for entertainment programming.

October 2015: CNBC Hosts Republican Party Candidates Debate

In October 2015, a Republican Party candidates debate hosted by CNBC attracted 14 million viewers, the highest viewership for any CNBC program to date.

2015: CNBC Aired Portions of UCI Road Cycling World Championships

In 2015, CNBC aired portions of the 2015 UCI Road Cycling World Championships.

January 10, 2016: CNBC Announces Partnership to Form CNBC Indonesia

On January 10, 2016, CNBC announced a partnership with Indonesian broadcaster Trans Media to establish CNBC Indonesia.

2016: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2016 Summer Olympics

During the 2016 Summer Olympics, CNBC carried 42 hours of Olympic coverage, focusing on basketball, volleyball, archery, cycling, rugby, water polo and wrestling.

2016: CNBC Aired IndyCar Races from Mid-Ohio

In 2016, CNBC aired IndyCar races from Mid-Ohio.

2016: CNBC Aired The Game

In 2016, CNBC aired The Game, the annual college football game between Harvard University and Yale University, as part of NBC Sports' Ivy League television contract.

2016: CNBC Aired Russian Grand Prix

In 2016, CNBC aired the Russian Grand Prix.

2016: CNBC Broadcast Several NASCAR Races

In 2016, CNBC broadcast several NASCAR races (as part of the NASCAR on NBC package) due to scheduling conflicts with other NBCUniversal channels during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2016: Launch of "Make It" Brand

In 2016, CNBC launched its personal finance brand “Make It”, which now forms CNBC.com’s largest vertical.

2017: Fox Business Overtakes CNBC in Daytime Viewership

By 2017, Fox Business surpassed CNBC as the most-watched daytime business news network.

2017: CNBC Aired IndyCar Races from Mid-Ohio and Toronto

In 2017, CNBC aired IndyCar races from Mid-Ohio and Toronto.

2017: CNBC Aired The Game

In 2017, CNBC aired The Game, the annual college football game between Harvard University and Yale University, as part of NBC Sports' Ivy League television contract.

2018: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2018 Winter Olympics

During the 2018 Winter Olympics, CNBC carried 46 hours of Olympic coverage, with focus on hockey and curling.

2019: CNBC Aired Amundi Evian Championship Coverage

In 2019, CNBC aired coverage of the final two days of the Amundi Evian Championship, as part of the LPGA Tour.

2019: Jim Cramer Sells TheStreet to The Arena Group

In 2019, Jim Cramer sold TheStreet, a company he had co-founded, to The Arena Group.

2020: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2020 Summer Olympics

During the 2020 Summer Olympics, CNBC carried 124.5 hours of Olympic coverage, focusing on diving, beach volleyball, skateboarding, rowing, canoeing, archery, water polo and rugby.

2020: CNBC Aired FA Women's Super League Matches

During the 2020-21 FA Women's Super League season, CNBC aired 10 matches.

2020: CNBC Aired Stages of Tour de France

In 2020, CNBC aired Stage 14 and Stage 15 of the Tour de France.

2020: CNBC Hires Shepard Smith to Host Evening Newscast

In 2020, CNBC hired former Fox News Channel anchor Shepard Smith to host 'The News with Shepard Smith,' a new evening newscast launched that September.

2020: CNBC's Online Video Operations Reach All-Time High

In 2020, CNBC's online video operations achieved a record 1.92 billion total digital video starts across various platforms.

2020: Cesar Conde Becomes Head of NBCUniversal News Group

In 2020, Cesar Conde became the head of the NBCUniversal News Group, leading to increased resource sharing between CNBC and NBC News.

2020: YellaWood 500 Bumped to CNBC

In 2020, the 2020 YellaWood 500 was bumped to CNBC after the race ran long and it interfered with other programming.

September 2021: CNBC Signs Multi-Platform Deal with Jim Cramer

In September 2021, CNBC and Jim Cramer signed a new multi-platform deal, resulting in the co-development of live events and digital content through Cramer's company.

2021: CNBC Aired Amundi Evian Championship Coverage

In 2021, CNBC aired coverage of the final two days of the Amundi Evian Championship, as part of the LPGA Tour.

2021: CNBC Aired Royal Ascot and Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series

In 2021, CNBC aired portions of the Royal Ascot and Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

2021: CNBC Aired NASCAR Xfinity Series race

In 2021, CNBC aired the NASCAR Xfinity Series race from Watkins Glen.

2021: CNBC Aired Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game

In 2021, the Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game aired on CNBC due to a NASCAR delay.

January 2022: CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer Launches

In January 2022, the 'CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer' subscription service was launched, offering commentaries, stock picks, and online meetings.

August 2022: Mark Hoffman Steps Down as CNBC President

In August 2022, Mark Hoffman stepped down as president of CNBC after 17 years and was succeeded by KC Sullivan.

August 28, 2022: CNBC Aired Coke Zero Sugar 400

On August 28, 2022, due to a rain out the previous night, CNBC aired the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at 10AM ET. The race was originally intended to be shown on NBC in primetime.

November 2022: 'The News with Shepard Smith' Cancelled

In November 2022, CNBC cancelled the low-rated 'The News with Shepard Smith'.

2022: CNBC Carried Olympic Coverage During the 2022 Winter Olympics

During the 2022 Winter Olympics, CNBC carried 80 hours of Olympic coverage, with focus primarily on curling and ice hockey.

2022: CNBC To Air Amundi Evian Championship Coverage

In 2022, CNBC aired coverage of the final two days of the Amundi Evian Championship, as part of the LPGA Tour.

2022: CNBC To Air Portions of Women's Tour de France

In 2022, CNBC aired portions of the Women's Tour de France.

2022: CNBC Aired Stage 8 of Paris-Nice

In 2022, CNBC aired stage 8 of the Paris–Nice.

2022: CNBC Aired Grade 2 Stakes Races

In 2022, CNBC aired the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes from Gulfstream and the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes from Santa Anita, as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

2022: CNBC Aired HBCU New York City Football Classic

In 2022, CNBC aired the first-ever HBCU New York City Football Classic between Howard University and Morehead State University.

2022: CNBC Aired AMA Supercross Championship Races

In 2022, ten AMA Supercross Championship races were broadcast on CNBC.

January 2023: Premiere of 'Last Call with Brian Sullivan'

In January 2023, CNBC premiered the new financial news program 'Last Call with Brian Sullivan'.

December 11, 2023: CNBC Rebrands with Updated Logo and Graphics

On December 11, 2023, CNBC underwent a major rebranding, including an updated logo and revamped on-air graphics.

2023: CNBC Beats Fox Business in Viewership

In 2023, CNBC's total day and primetime viewership surpassed that of its main competitor, Fox Business, although Fox led in trading day viewership.

2023: USFL Game Resumed on CNBC Due to Weather Delay

In 2023, during the first quarter of a game between the New Orleans Breakers and the Memphis Showboats, lightning strikes in the Memphis area forced a weather delay which lasted 3 hours. The game resumed on CNBC due to prior programming on NBC.

March 2024: CNBC Adds "Make It" Brand to Weekend Programming

In March 2024, CNBC announced plans to incorporate its personal finance brand "Make It" into its weekend programming.

April 2024: CNBC Celebrates 35th Anniversary

In April 2024, CNBC commemorated its 35th anniversary at the New York Stock Exchange.

July 18, 2024: 'Last Call with Brian Sullivan' Ends

On July 18, 2024, the financial news program 'Last Call with Brian Sullivan' ended its run.

October 2024: Current notable programming

As of October 2024, CNBC had current notable programming.

November 2024: Launch of Times Brasil as CNBC's Brazilian Affiliate

In November 2024, Times Brasil launched as CNBC's first local franchise in South America, founded by Douglas Tavolaro.

November 20, 2024: NBCUniversal Announces Spin-Off of Cable Networks Including CNBC

On November 20, 2024, NBCUniversal announced its intention to spin off most of its cable networks, including CNBC, into a new publicly-traded company.

2024: CNBC Aired Races due to Weather and News Coverage

In 2024, due to inclement weather causing the USA Today 301 to go under a red flag, CNBC aired the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterrey. Also, due to coverage of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, CNBC aired the first Iowa Speedway race of the doubleheader weekend.