Richard “Dick” Block, the previous president of Kaiser Broadcasting and an adjunct affiliate professor on the College of Southern California’s College of Cinematic Arts, died Sept. 30 on the age of 97.
A reason behind loss of life was not given, and the information was confirmed by buddy and mentee Russell Myerson.
Two months shy of his 98th birthday, Block served as president of a Santa Monica-based consulting agency, Block Communications Group, Inc. He additionally taught TV Station Administration at USC.
His tenure on the enterprise facet of issues inside the leisure trade included serving as the highest govt of Kaiser Broadcasting, the place he conceived of and executed a plan to construct unbiased tv stations in seven of the highest ten nationwide markets: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco. He was additionally the manager vp of the TV station division of Metromedia, previous to its sale to Fox, the place he negotiated an settlement with Ted Turner’s CNN to present his stations common broadcast entry to nationwide and worldwide video information protection.
Moreover, Block was instrumental within the creation and launching of The Journey Channel for Westinghouse and Recreation Present Community for Sony. His educating posts additionally spanned Stanford College, his alma mater, and UCLA. He had beforehand testified earlier than congressional committees and served as an skilled witness.
Block served as a board member inside organizations just like the Nationwide Affiliation of Broadcasters, Affiliation of Unbiased TV Stations, TV Bureau of Promoting, Broadcast Schooling Affiliation, Nationwide Committee for Employer Help of the Guard & Reserve, Stanford Alumni Affiliation and Easterseals of Southern California.
“The leisure trade misplaced an amazing chief and consummate instructor,” learn the obituary shared with Deadline from Block’s family members. “His affect on the leisure enterprise is famous. His simple, can-do method, dry wit and fearless pursuit of alternative, drove his outstanding profession which spanned almost seven a long time of broadcasting improvements, adroit deal making and schooling.”
Block served within the U.S. Service provider Marine throughout World Battle II and within the U.S. Coast Guard in the course of the Korean Battle.
He’s survived by his two kids, Julie Grunsky and Nick Block, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life can be held on the USC College of Cinematic Arts.
