Public Television Giant Newton Minow Dies at 97
He is best known for his efforts to secure funding for the iconic children’s show “Sesame Street” and for his work to create the modern televised presidential debate format.
Reuters
Newton Minow—an influential former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman who had an outsized impact on public television—died at 97 of a heart attack in his Chicago, Illinois home. He is best known for his infamous designation of television as a “vast wasteland.” Throughout his career, Minow notably fought to secure funding for the iconic children’s show Sesame Street and worked to create the modern televised presidential debate format. Minow was “a crucial figure in expanding TV’s possibilities,” Ron Simon, a curator at the Paley Center for Media, told The Washington Post.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog