Legendary CBS TV Executive, Frank Stanton, died at the age of 98 on December 24th. You may be asking yourself who he is, but I guarantee you know what he’s done. The word “legend” is often thrown around, especially at the time of a person’s death, but with Stanton it’s deserved. In fact, he goes beyond legendary. Stanton is responsible for much of what we currently take for granted in television.
Stanton worked at CBS for 35 years, 25 of them as President. Along with William S. Paley, who with his father bought CBS and helped create one of the greatest production companies in history, Stanton transformed CBS into “The Tiffany Network.”
He worked with Paul Lazersfeld, a statistician, on a program that was a precursor to Nielsen ratings. Stanton was a pivotal element in the current standards on Presidential debates, having won a Peabody for his role during the Nixon-Kennedy debates of 1960. He is also considered the man most responsible for CBS’s success, having created the idea of branding the network. The CBS eye, which Stanton oversaw the creation of, is one of the most recognizable icons in the world.
Stanton was flung into the spotlight during the game show scandal depicted in the movie Quiz Show. He removed the gameshow’s from CBS’ lineup, not taking responsibility as the shows were produced independently of CBS. However he proved time and time again the integrity he felt CBS owed the audience.
This was never more apparent than in the news division. Stanton was a stout defender of the 1st Amendment, standing up for news journalism anywhere it was attacked. Even when brought before a congressional committee, he never wavered in his support of the 1st Amendment.
The most memorable moment, especially to modern audiences in light of the film Good Night, and Good Luck, is the Edgar R. Murrow’s program, “See It Now.” Murrow put together a piece that thoroughly rebutted all of Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s intimidation and condemnation of the entertainment, and news, industry as part of the communist threat to America. While not officially held as such, this is often seen as the first true blow against McCarthyism.
There is so much more to list. The 98-year-old Stanton lived a long and full life. His contribution to CBS and to journalism in general is incalculable. Never driven by personal motivation, the man chose to exit the world as he lived in it. There is to be no service, no pomp, no circumstance. When he left CBS he simply walked out, having changed the company for the better. He leaves the world the same way, a little better for having him around.
