While RCA played a primary role in developing the CRT and some of the technology for the NTSC color system, they were NOT the first to market with a set.
Zenith claims to have sold the first color TV in the fall or '53, but as NTSC had not yet been approved, and all the other 15" sets they build were not offered for sale, I don't think this counts as first to market.
Admiral announced there set December 31 1953. Here is the announcement (thanks Steve Dichter!)
Subject: Admiral 15" intro
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2005 10:47 PM
From: Steve Dichter <stevetek@webtv.net>
To: <ereitan@novia.net>
Conversation: Admiral 15" intro
New York Times: Thursday Dec.31, 1953
Page 22, Section L.
"First Admiral Color TV"
Admiral Corporation Introduced yesterday its first color television
receiver. It has a fifteen-inch tube and will retail for $1,175. Also
added to the company's line were several new black-and-white receivers,
including a twenty-one-inch model to list for $179.95. Joe Marty Jr.,
general manager of Admiral's electronics division, said the company
expects to turn out 30,000 color television sets next year.
I am not sure when Admiral actually had set in dealer showrooms for sale, so I am not sure if they can really claim to be "first". Anyone know?
This is quoted from Steve's website
http://community.webtv.net/stevetek/StevesCT100
"... Starting in early 1954 NTSC 15" color receivers were first offered for sale to the public. Westinghouse in Feb. '54, $1200. And RCA Victor's CT-100 in April, 1954, $1000. Other companies soon followed with very limited pilot runs or prototype demonstration units. Sales were dismally low. Few color programs were available. "
So technically RCA was not first. But RCA did produce 200 prototype sets (the Model 5) in the fall for 1953, but they were not marketed to the public.
RCA and Westinghouse were the only ones who produced 15" color sets in any quantity; RCA about 5,000 CT 100s and Westinghouse about 500 H840CK15s.