About
"... looking at all the people who have worked with me over the years, all of whom are considerably younger than I am, and looking at their careers and what they've been able to accomplish, it's part of the ongoing legacy of passing the baton. What it says to me is that over the years I've made some pretty good decisions and they're the living examples of that."
In his five-hour interview, Herb Granath (1928-2019) discusses his start in the entertainment industry as a college student working in the Page Program at NBC. He talks of becoming a staff member within the NBC sales department, and his subsequent move to ABC sales. He details working on Monday Night Football and creating a special sales unit focused on selling sports programming. Granath then discusses the beginnings of ABC Sports and his involvement in helping ABC become "The Network of the Olympics." He details his move into the position of vice president of program development at ABC Sports, recalls becoming a director of the parent company of International Management Group, and outlines his eventual return to ABC as assistant to the president. Granath also recounts ABC's entrance into cable programming and the beginnings of basic cable. He chronicles the creation of several cable channels including A&E, The History Channel, and Lifetime. He also discusses the birth and growth of both ESPN and ESPN 2, shares his role in the development of ABC's long partnership with the Shubert Organization, and comments on his move into the role of chairman of Disney International upon ABC's merger with The Disney Company. He also touches on being vice chairman of Central European Media and becoming co-chairman of the Hallmark Network. Karen Herman conducted the interview on November 15, 2011 in Darien, CT.
Highlights
Herb Granath on ABC being the network of the Olympics
Herb Granath on his involvement with Monday Night Football
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Herb Granath on how Sports Center on ESPN came about
Herb Granath on Jim McKay's coverage of the Munich Massacre
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his responsibilities at NBC as part of the Page program as a college student
On memories of shows he worked on at NBC; on working as part of the sales staff at NBC; on TV sponsors' close connection with TV shows; on memories of working at NBC as a Page
On moving to sales at ABC; on having his salary cut due to his high commission through successful sales; on his friendship with Howard Cosell
Chapter 2
On the biggest deal he made for ABC Radio; on working on Monday Night Football and creating a special sales unit focused on selling sports programming; on the beginnings of ABC Sports; on how ABC became the network for the Olympics; on the "all marketing program" he started at ABC
On becoming the Vice President of Program Development at ABC Sports; on the success of Monday Night Football; on what he learned working with Roone Arledge; on his move to IMG - International Management Group and becoming a director of the parent company
On deals he made working in his new position at IMG; on his return to ABC as Assistant to the President; on becoming acting chairman of ABC-Dunhill Records; on ABC's entrance into cable programming
Chapter 3
On the business model for the new ABC cable channel business he started with the Arts network; on advancements in cable technology that benefited ABC; on the start of basic cable; on the short-lived "CBS cable"
On the formation of the Arts and Entertainment cable channel also known as "A&E;" on the formation of other cable channels including "The History Channel" and the "Lifetime" cable channel; on the challenge of making cable TV profitable
On starting a sports network with Roone Arledge; on the birth of ESPN; on the purchase of ABC by Cap Cities
On the growth of ESPN; on the launch of ESPN 2
Chapter 4
On the conflict between cable operations and ABC's station division; on the beginning of ESPN 2; on the formation of Eurosport; on how Sports Center on ESPN came about
On how ESPN stays in the forefront of new technologies; on the future of ESPN; on his involvement with the Shubert Organization with ABC to produce theater
On the Disney-ABC merger and how it affected his career; on Disney- ABC's involvement in foreign investments; on becoming Chairman of Disney International
On being Chairman of the cable networks and his move back to ABC; on doing consulting; on retiring from ABC; on being Vice Chairman of Central European Media; on becoming Co-Chairman of the Hallmark network
Chapter 5
On his involvement with the Television Academy; on being elected Chairman Emeritus of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; on what he thinks the mission of the Television Academy should be
On the challenges of keeping up with the evolution of television; on what the next step in TV will be; on his opinion of and relationship with the FCC
On the most important component of creating a new cable network; on his Pay-per-view idea "Tele-first;" on his proudest career achievement
On career regrets; on selling the "Satellite News Channels" to Ted Turner; on his legacy within the TV industry
Shows
ABC's Wide World of Sports
Herb Granath on his recollections of ABC's Wide World of Sports
American Sportsman, The
Herb Granath on the start of The American Sportsman
Broadway Open House
Herb Granath on memories of Broadway Open House Theater
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Herb Granath on a meeting of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences board with actors regarding the Daytime Emmy Awards
Home Show, The
Herb Granath on how Pat Weaver started The Today Show, The Tonight Show and The Home Show
Howdy Doody
Herb Granath on his memories of The Howdy Doody Show
Milton Berle Show, The (1954-56)
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Milton Berle Show
Monday Night Football
Herb Granath on working on Monday Night Football and creating a special sales unit focused on selling sports programming
Herb Granath on the "all marketing program" he started with Monday Night Football and the success of the program
Olympics
Herb Granath on how ABC became the network of the Olympics
Today
Herb Granath on how Pat Weaver started The Today Show, The Tonight Show and The Home Show
Tonight
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Topics
Coverage
Herb Granath on Jim McKay's coverage of the Munich Massacre
Emmy Awards
Herb Granath on a meeting of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences board with actors regarding the Daytime Emmy Awards
Network Creation
Herb Granath on the start of the Lifetime cable channel
Herb Granath on the growth of ESPN and the launch of ESPN 2
Herb Granath on the birth of The History Channel
Herb Granath on the birth and management of CBS cable
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Herb Granath on the formation of Eurosport
Herb Granath on becoming Co-Chairman of the Hallmark Network
Herb Granath on the most important component of creating a new cable network
Olympic Games
Herb Granath on ABC being the network of the Olympics
Herb Granath on ESPN's coverage of the Munich Massacre at the Olympic Games
Sports
Herb Granath on ABC being the network of the Olympics
Herb Granath on the "all marketing program" he started with Monday Night Football and the success of the program
Herb Granath on his recollections of ABC's Wide World of Sports
Herb Granath on working on Monday Night Football and creating a special sales unit focused on selling sports programming
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Herb Granath on the growth of ESPN and the launch of ESPN 2
Herb Granath on Jim McKay's coverage of the Munich Massacre
Technological Innovation
Herb Granath on hiring Jack Healy to help run ABC's new cable TV programming
Herb Granath on ABC's entrance into the cable TV business
Television Industry
Herb Granath on working in sales for NBC
Herb Granath on the start of the Lifetime cable channel
Herb Granath on the birth of The History Channel
Herb Granath on the birth and management of CBS cable
Herb Granath on the growth of ESPN and the launch of ESPN 2
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Herb Granath on the formation of Eurosport
Herb Granath on becoming Co-Chairman of the Hallmark Network
Herb Granath on his involvement with the Television Academy
Professions
Television Executive
Herb Granath on his role at ABC upon his return to the company
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Genres
Awards Shows
Herb Granath on a meeting of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences board with actors regarding the Daytime Emmy Awards
Children's Programming
Herb Granath on his memories of The Howdy Doody Show
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Herb Granath on the start of Daytime cable TV programming
Herb Granath on the start of the Lifetime cable channel
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Milton Berle Show
News and Documentary
Herb Granath on the birth of The History Channel
Service Shows
Herb Granath on the Arts programming for the ABC cable network
Sports
Herb Granath on ABC being the network of the Olympics
Herb Granath on the "all marketing program" he started with Monday Night Football and the success of the program
Herb Granath on his recollections of ABC's Wide World of Sports
Herb Granath on working on Monday Night Football and creating a special sales unit focused on selling sports programming
Herb Granath on the birth of ESPN
Herb Granath on the growth of ESPN and the launch of ESPN 2
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Herb Granath on starting the Hallmark Movie Channel
People
Steve Allen
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Morey Amsterdam
Herb Granath on working with Morey Amsterdam on Broadway Open House
Roone Arledge
Herb Granath on how Roone Arledge took a chance on hiring Howard Cosell for TV
Herb Granath on working with Roone Arledge at ABC Sports during the heyday of Monday Night Football
Herb Granath on starting a sports network with Roone Arledge
Herb Granath on Roone Arledge's involvement with news coverage of The Munich Massacre
Herb Granath on working with Roone Arledge and Bill Baker to create a competitive news network
Milton Berle
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Milton Berle Show
George Bodenheimer
Herb Granath on George Bodenheimer's promotion to CEO of ABC's ESPN
Steve Bornstein
Herb Granath on Steve Bernstein's promotion to CEO of ABC's ESPN
Sid Caesar
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Show of Shows with Sid Caesar
Imogene Coca
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Show of Shows with Imogene Coca
Howard Cosell
Herb Granath on how Howard Cosell first got his start in sportscasting and their life-long friendship
Herb Granath on his and Howard Cosell's transition to television with ABC
Herb Granath on Howard Cosell's involvement with Monday Night Football
Herb Granath on Howard Cosell's involvement with news coverage of The Munich Massacre
Jim Duffy
Herb Granath on his meeting with Jim Duffy at ABC
Herb Granath on being hired by Jim Duffy for ABC TV
Dick Ebersol
Herb Granath on Roone Arledge hiring Dick Ebersol to work at ABC
Michael Eisner
Herb Granath on discussing foreign investment with Michael Eisner
Arlene Francis
Herb Granath on Arlene Francis working on The Home Show
Frank Gifford
Herb Granath on Frank Gifford's eventual involvement with Monday Night Football
Leonard H. Goldenson
Herb Granath on his thoughts about ABC founder Leonard Goldenson
Herb Granath on the corporate staff at ABC: Leonard Goldenson, Mike Mallardi, Elton Rule and Irv Ehrlich
Herb Granath on Leonard Goldenson's vision for ABC
Herb Granath on Leonard Goldenson's approval concerning working with Th Shubert Organization
Herb Granath on Leonard Goldenson's support and foresight to changes within the TV industry
Eydie Gorme
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen with Eydie Gorme
Curt Gowdy
Herb Granath on the start of The American Sportsman with Curt Gowdy
Steve Lawrence
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen with Steve Lawrence
John Malone
Herb Granath on the cable deal he made with John Malone
Jim McKay
Herb Granath on memories of Jim McKay
Herb Granath on Jim McKay's coverage of the Munich Massacre
Don Meredith
Herb Granath on Don "Dandy" Meredith's involvement with Monday Night Football
Thomas Murphy
Herb Granath on his negotiations with Tom Murphy and Dan Burke
William S. Paley
Herb Granath on the birth and management of CBS cable
Elton H. Rule
Herb Granath on how Elton Rule changed the ABC network
Herb Granath on how Elton Rule handled the news of him leaving ABC
Herb Granath on his meeting with Elton Rule to discuss his return to ABC
Alvin Sapinsley
Herb Granath on studying creative writing with Alvin Sapinsley
David Sarnoff
Herb Granath on David Sarnoff and Robert Sarnoff
Herbert S. Schlosser
Herb Granath on his deal with Herbert Schlosser to form the A&E cable channel
Chet Simmons
Herb Granath on the instrumental role that Chet Simmons played in the creation of ESPN as well as Stu Evie and John McKinley handing the reigns over to ABC
Arturo Toscanini
Herb Granath on being an usher for the NBC Symphony Orchestra at NBC
Ted Turner
Herb Granath on Ted Turner's plan to buy ESPN
Herb Granath on selling the "Satellite News Channels" to Ted Turner
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
Herb Granath on how Pat Weaver started The Today Show, The Tonight Show and The Home Show
Andy Williams
Herb Granath on working during the beginnings of television on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen with Andy Williams