TV executive Jamie Kellner, who helped create Fox and the WB, dies at 77

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I deeply admire Jamie Kellner for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of broadcast television. His innovative spirit and unyielding determination led him to create Fox and the WB networks, expanding the landscape of American television and providing new opportunities for edgier content and diverse voices.

Jamies Kellner, a trailblazing media magnate, passed away on Friday at the age of 77. He left an indelible mark on the television industry with his creation of Fox and the WB networks, broadening the horizons of broadcast television.

Kellner held the dual roles of chairman and CEO at Turner Broadcasting System, managing CNN, TNT, and TBS.)

According to a family representative, he passed away peacefully at his Montecito residence following a prolonged fight against cancer.

Raised in Brooklyn and Long Island, Kellner began gaining recognition at Orion Entertainment Group. He played a significant role in a project led by Lorne Michaels to acquire the rights for original “Saturday Night Live” episodes. These episodes were then edited into half-hour formats and marketed for syndication sales.

Back in the mid-1980s, my movie-loving self was thrilled to hear about a promising collaboration that piqued the interest of media giants Rupert Murdoch and Barry Diller. They had grand plans to challenge the dominance of the “Big Three” networks – ABC, NBC, and CBS – with a fresh, upstart broadcasting network. I got lucky enough to be part of this exciting venture as the very first president and chief operating officer of Fox Broadcasting Company.

Back in the mid-eighties, I was thrilled to be part of the cinematic scene as a new player entered the American broadcast television stage. Fox, established in 1986, broke the long-standing monopoly held by ABC since its debut in 1948.

Kellner poached a young NBC executive named Garth Ancier to run programming.

During a conversation on Sunday, Ancier described Kellner as an impressive executive with a deep understanding of both TV viewers and the intricacies of the US television industry, from affiliates to advertisers. Having collaborated with Kellner at the WB, Ancier shared memories of traveling to various affiliate stations nationwide in an effort to win their support for Fox.

At the time, few industry insiders thought Fox would have much staying power.

According to Ancier, his bosses, with Grant Tinker leading the way, were convinced that no fourth network would ever succeed. They added that most of these new stations were UHF, implying a sense of danger or inferiority. This meant we had to distinguish ourselves from the existing networks.

Kellner played a significant role in defining the network’s unique image and drew viewers with provocative content like “Married…With Children,” an initially controversial yet enduring sitcom that eventually gained widespread popularity.

“One of our initial assessments is: Could one of the three networks handle this task? If the answer is affirmative, then we eliminate it. There’s no need for us to be around if we’ll just replicate what they’ve already achieved,” Kellner explained to The New York Times in 1986.

A fox drew in younger audiences by presenting unconventional programs that challenged industry norms. For instance, “In Living Color,” an irreverent sketch comedy series with a predominantly Black cast, was one such show. Additionally, “Beverly Hills, 90210,” a high school soap opera, left a significant mark on the 1990s television landscape.

Kellner explained that there was a gap in prime-time television for animated shows since the last ones on ABC in the 1960s with “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons.” So, we created “The Simpsons” to fill that void.

In an interview with The Times back in 1997, he shared that the most valuable lessons we gleaned were: standing out from the crowd, finding our unique voice instead of following the existing one, and being as youthful as possible.

In 1993, Kellner departed from Fox. At that time, the network was broadening its horizons to include a seventh night of programming and boasted popular shows such as the “Melrose Place” spinoff of “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Within seven short years, Kellner transformed a shaky collection of UHF stations into a formidable competitor, as The Times described it at the time.

Back in the mid-90s, I was brimming with an innovative concept for a new broadcast network, the fifth one to hit the scene. In 1995, I brought it to life and christened it the WB. Initially, we gained traction by showcasing groundbreaking Black sitcoms like “The Wayans Bros.,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” and “Sister, Sister.” However, our path wasn’t without challenges as UPN, another ambitious contender, entered the fray. Despite the stiff competition, I remained steadfast in my conviction that this network would not only measure up to but surpass the success of Fox.

For the record:

At 6:34 a.m. on July 4, 2024, this article contains an error. It wrongly claims that during the late 90s, UPN focused on teen dramas. In fact, it was the WB network that did so.

In the late 90’s, UPN became famous for its family drama “7th Heaven,” which was a huge success for the network. During this time, UPN focused on creating dramas that appealed to teenagers and ushered in a new era of young-adult programming. Shows like “Dawson’s Creek,” “Felicity,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” were both heartfelt and self-aware, striking a chord with viewers. By 2002, the network, where he held an ownership stake, was valued at a billion dollars.

In his own words, Greg Berlanti expressed that a significant part of the enchantment of that place originated from Kellner’s unique leadership style. He wagered on people and fostered creativity, appointing Berlanti as “Dawson’s Creek” showrunner at the young age of 28 and producing two other shows, “Everwood” and “Jack & Bobby,” for the WB network. Kellner stood out as an executive who believed in nurturing talent and allowing shows to flourish, yet he was also knowledgeable about their popular cities.

In my experience, it was truly fortunate for me to encounter such a leader at a young age. This individual led with a insatiable thirst for knowledge and a deep well of compassion. They were clear-minded and truthful in their actions, creating an environment where I and those around me felt empowered to believe in our own abilities.

According to Berlani, the Young Adult (YA) programming during the Kellner era at the WB network was incredibly successful. This success can be attributed, in part, to Kellner’s belief that the YA audience was not inferior or less important than any other demographic.

At Turner Broadcasting System, where he worked before leaving the WB, Kellner was appointed as both chairman and CEO, taking over from Ted Turner. Under his leadership, TBS, TNT, and CNN fell under his supervision. In 2001, wrestling fans were displeased when he made the decision to cancel WCW programming on TNT and TBS. During his tenure at CNN, the news industry experienced significant changes: intensified competition from Fox News and MSNBC, as well as the devastating impacts of the 9/11 attacks.

Kellner had a knack for cultivating devotion among his leading employees, with many following him from one company to another. According to Brad Turell, former head of corporate communications at Fox, The WB, and Turner Broadcasting under Kellner’s leadership, “He granted you significant autonomy as both a manager and mentor, consistently encouraging daring, assertive actions and refusing to accept the status quo.”

Kellner retired from the business in 2004, when he was just 57.

As a movie reviewer, I found it challenging to accept the character’s actions due to his strong competitive spirit and immense vitality. However, once he had reached his finish line, there was no turning back for him.

Kellner kept himself occupied with hobbies such as sailing and golf. Additionally, he established a winery named Cent’Anni in the Santa Ynez Valley, and was renowned for preparing Italian feasts at his residence.

Julie Smith, his spouse, along with their daughter Melissa and son Christopher, as well as grandkids Jake, Scarlett, and Oliver, continue to live on after him.

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2024-07-18 20:01