Final answer:
In 1952, the FCC tentatively approved an experimental color system from CBS, highlighting a critical step in the development of color television during the 'golden age' of television. It illustrates the regulatory role of the FCC in the broadcasting industry, including later transitions such as from analog to digital television.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1952, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which was integral in regulating all forms of communications including emerging television networks, tentatively approved an experimental color system from the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). This marked a significant moment in television history as it reflected the evolution of media technology from black and white broadcasts to the potential of color television. CBS, along with its competitors NBC and ABC, was a major player during the 'golden age' of television, capitalizing on the expanding market with a growing number of television stations (by 1956 there were almost 500) and pioneering various programming formats that would influence future media.
While this experiment by CBS was a part of television evolution, it was ultimately NBC's color system that became the industry standard. Still, the FCC's tentative approval illustrates its role in shaping the development and implementation of new technologies in the broadcasting landscape, including the much later transition from analog to digital television (DTV). The FCC did not simply regulate; it was also involved in defining technical standards, though it often left these decisions to industry groups and companies.