Roger M. King, executive of CBS and King World Productions,
the one who syndicated popular shows such shows like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,”
died on Saturday at the age of 63.
King suffered a stroke on Friday at his home in Boca Raton, Fla.
and passed away the next day in hospital, according to Chris Ender, a CBS
spokesman.
Roger King was chief executive officer of CBS Television Distribution.
The bond with the television network was constructed in 2000 when his company King
World Productions merged with CBS.
Founded by his father, Charles King in 1964, King World Productions
became a groundbreaking company. With Roger King taking over the CEO position
in 1977, the company became the leading distributor of syndicated programming, transforming
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” or “Dr. Phil” in not only very popular TV shows, but
into institutions, values as well.
“It's a very sad day for CBS and for all of broadcasting,” CBS
President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement.
King’s syndicated shows into television proved to be a hit
for the network throughout many years, “Wheel of Fortune” being on the first
position in CBS’s syndicated shows for 23 years and “Jeopardy!” had been in the
Top Three for 22 years.
King was behind the syndication of re-runs of several
prime-time shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation,” and reality shows such as “Survivor,” or “The Amazing Race.” The
news magazine “Inside Edition” was also his initiative.
Before King World Productions, Roger King worked in
newspaper sales, radio and TV.
He is survived by his wife Raemali and three daughters, Kellie, Anna Rose and Lucinda Monroe.
