Comcast, NBC move broadcast museum closer to opening

Chicago’s nearly completed Museum of Broadcast Communications took another big step forward Thursday with the announcement of a $2.7 million grant from Comcast Corp., NBC News and NBC 5 Chicago.

A jubilant Bruce DuMont, founder, president and CEO of the museum, called it the biggest infusion of support since Governor Pat Quinn fulfilled the state’s long-delayed capital development grant of $6 million in 2010.

“We are grateful to have Comcast, NBC News, and NBC 5 Chicago — institutions that have contributed so much to the history of television — show so much support for our new facility,” DuMont said in a statement. “We are excited to open our doors and share the experience with visitors.”

The new 62,000 square-foot facility at 360 North State Street has been partially open since December, with public access to the National Radio Hall of Fame Gallery. DuMont’s goal is for the museum to open fully on June 13 — 25 years to the day after its original home in the South Loop’s River City complex opened. (After five years there, the museum relocated to the Chicago Cultural Center, where it remained through 2003.)

For the museum to hit the June 13 grand opening target would require an additional major grant being sought from Exelon Corp., DuMont said.

NBC’s $2.7 million pledge includes cash and services, according to the announcement. Up to $500,000 of 30-second commercials to air on Comcast cable systems is to be donated every year for five years to help advertise and promote the museum. NBC News previously committed $200,000 to help complete construction of museum exhibits and presentation areas.

A longtime strong supporter of the museum, Larry Wert, president and general manager of NBC 5, said in a statement: “Chicago’s rich history makes it a fitting home for the Museum of Broadcast Communications. The donations made by Comcast and NBC will contribute toward creating a facility as well-developed as the history it showcases and help ensure the public is aware of all the museum has to offer.”

The museum’s main presentation area will be named the Comcast NBCUniversal Center. NBC News and NBC 5 also will contribute historic artifacts to be displayed in exhibits and donate video clips to museum archives.