The LP (33 1/3-rpm) and 45-rpm records were competing high-fidelity formats introduced by CBS and RCA in the late 1940s. The 45-rpm was designed for single songs, while the LP accommodated longer classical recordings. Both formats eventually coexisted in the market, with LPs becoming highly profitable for record companies, though they were largely displaced by compact discs in the 1980s and remain niche products today.
In 1985, GE acquired RCA for $6 billion in an all-cash deal to gain control of NBC, one of the big three broadcasters. By selling off RCA's other assets, GE essentially acquired NBC for free, and the network generated over $30 billion in operational cash flows during GE's 27-year ownership before being sold to Comcast for $22.9 billion total, demonstrating a masterclass in conglomerate acquisition strategy.