Which company first sponsored 'I Love Lucy'?

Philip Morris was the first company to sponsor “I Love Lucy.”

The cigarette manufacturer signed on before the series began and became closely associated with its original broadcasts. Early opening sequences showed animated versions of Lucy and Ricky climbing down a pack of Philip Morris cigarettes, and the company’s branding was also woven into the show’s advertising.

The sponsorship influenced the program’s production history. Philip Morris wanted the series to air weekly and preferred a New York-based production, while Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz wanted to remain in Hollywood. Their compromise helped lead to the filmed, multi-camera format that became one of the show’s defining innovations.

Procter & Gamble later became an alternate sponsor, which can create confusion about the answer. Philip Morris was the original sponsor, while other companies supported the program at different points. The sponsorship also explains why syndicated versions often remove or replace the original cigarette-related openings.