-
Canadian Media Giant Ted Rogers Dies At 75
December 2, 2008 at 5:44 AM (PT)
What do you think? Add your comment below. -
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS CEO EDWARD SAMUEL "TED" ROGERS has died in TORONTO at the age of 75. He had been suffering from congestive heart failure in recent years and took leave of his corporate duties last month to fight the illness. Chairman of the Board of Directors ALAN HORN has been serving as interim CEO since ROGERS fell ill early last month.
ROGERS started CHFI/TORONTO in 1960, adding an AM simulcast at 1540 AM that eventually moved to 680 AM and became Top 40 powerhouse CFTR-A (now All-News as 680 NEWS). He also was an early entrant into the cell phone field, building CANADA's largest cell phone carrier, and bought into television (most recently with the acquisition of the CITY-TV stations) and cable television.
"We wish to express our deepest sympathy to (wife) LORETTA and all of the ROGERS family for this loss," said HORN. "TED ROGERS was one of a kind who built this company from one FM radio station into CANADA's largest wireless, cable and media company. A leader also in giving to the community through his and LORETTA's many philanthropic initiatives. He will be sadly missed."
ROGERS Vice-Chairman PHIL LIND added, "Our sincerest condolences to LORETTA, the children and the grandchildren. He will be missed by so many. Though TED was relentless in business and building this company over the years, he was also very much a family man. His impact on family, community and country was as impressive as his business success."
ROGERS owns 51 radio stations across CANADA, as well as several TV and cable stations, CANADA's largest cable TV operation, its largest mobile phone carrier, several magazines (including national newsweekly MACLEAN'S), and the TORONTO BLUE JAYS and their ROGERS CENTRE stadium.