William S. Paley

William S. PaleyWilliam S. Paley was the founder of CBS and a broadcaster, and he was born in September 28 in Chicago. He was the oldest son of Goldi and Samuel Paley, who immigrated from the Ukraine and owned a cigar company. In 1919, they moved to Philadelphia, where William went to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. When Paley's father died, William inherited the family cigar business. He kept it going, eventually supervising production and advertising and becoming the vice president. In 1927, he invested in a radio network, the Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System, because he believed in the ad potential that radio had.

Paley became CPBS' president the next year, and went to New York City to try to recruit more radio stations. He signed forty-nine affiliates, which paved the way for the now Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). William S. Paley was largely responsible for building CBS into a global communications company, and he signed many of the time's celebrities, such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby. After World War II, Paley shifted his focus to CBS' news division, asking journalist Edward R. Murrow and later Walter Cronkite to join. In 1947, CBS expanded its facilities and raised the public's interest in television. Under his leadership, the network's transition into the visual media was seamless, and it was instrumental in the development of color TV.

William Paley had offices on both coasts, and he kept a tight control on programming, which was a mix of game shows, soap operas, and more cultural and educational fare. His most famous shows were "I Love Lucy", "MASH" and "All in the Family". His successful news division and the network's quality programming ensured its long-term success. Paley married Barbara Mortimer in 1947, and they became part of New York high society, donating to many charities. Paley was president of MOMA, and himself had quite a collection of post-impressionist pieces. In 1966, he flouted a rule on mandatory retirement to continue as CBS' chairman, taking a four-year sabbatical in 1983. He returned in 1987, and remained at CBS until he passed away in 1991.