The competition between television manufacturers helped to produce better, less expensive televisions sets for consumers. Compare the competition between television manufacturers during the 1940s and 1950s with computer companies today.

Today computer companies battle it out by attempting to offer the latest and greatest technology first.  All of the computer companies drive each other into making a better product.  The consumer ultimately wins by each computer company offering great technology and competitive prices.

The 90’s seen Microsoft versus Apple/Macintosh for a dominant operating system with Microsoft having more market share.   Microsoft would later face an antitrust suit.  In the 2000’s Apple developed the iPod and iPhone operating systems and went into a war with Google.  In each instance, the companies back a product that is similar yet different from the competitors.

The television manufacturers faced similar issues in the 1940s and 1950s.  RCA was a major player and was back by NBC.  They also backed the VHF technology which required an FCC license.  CBS supported the UHF technology and backed it.  A concern of that era was of antitrust.  Every manufacturer wanted to be brand of choice for the consumer.  The television was taking the place of the radio and was becoming a household item.  This meant that each and every consumer would be looking at a superior product and a good value.