Leonard H. Goldenson
Founder of ABC Network
About This Interview
The first Archive of American Television interviewee -- Leonard Goldenson (1905–1999) -- was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Long Boat Key, FL. Goldenson recalls his early days working for Paramount Theaters and talks extensively about the formation of ABC. He details ABC's programming, and the competition it faced from NBC, CBS, and the Hollywood studios. He fondly recalls ABC's eventual rise to become one of television's formidable powers, despite doubts from CBS' William Paley and NBC's David Sarnoff. Goldenson also discusses ABC's long partnership with Walt Disney, and outlines his television deal with Jack Warner. He speaks of the creation of ABC Sports, the popularity of ABC's news anchors, and the very first broadcast of a television miniseries. He outlines several of ABC's hits, including The Fugitive, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Roots, and Monday Night Football. B-roll consists of photos from his life and career - including pictures from events for the organization he helped found, United Cerebral Palsy. Marvin Wolf conducted the interview on May 14, 1996.
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Highlights
Leonard Goldenson on getting into the movie business - working for Paramount theaters
Clip begins at: 11:12, Duration: 01m 25s- Leonard Goldenson his deal with Edward J. Noble (head of Lifesavers) to purchase NBC's Blue network, which became ABC
Clip begins at: 21:58, Duration: 05m 48s 
Leonard Goldenson on his programming ideas for ABC and making a deal with Walt and Roy Disney
Clip begins at: 07:32, Duration: 02m 13s
Leonard Goldenson on Roone Arledge's impact on ABC and sports
Clip begins at: 20:04, Duration: 05m 40s
Leonard Goldenson on merging with Capital Cities and Disney acquiring ABC
Clip begins at: 25:57, Duration: 02m 48s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on his interest in movies and radio; on attending Harvard University at 16 and going to law school
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On getting into the movie business - working for Paramount Theaters; on becoming head of Paramount Theaters
Clip begins at: 09:24 - On seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair; on Paramount's early association with DuMont; on seeing the potential of television; on ABC making a deal with Walt Disney
Clip begins at: 16:20 - On his deal with Edward J. Noble (head of Lifesavers) to purchase NBC's Blue network, which became ABC
Clip begins at: 21:58 - Part 2
- On acquiring ABC and conversations with NBC's David Sarnoff and MGM's Nicholas Schenck; on convincing Paramount's board members to buy ABC; on the state of ABC when he purchased it
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On ABC not merging with DuMont; on his programming ideas for ABC and making deals with Walt Disney and Jack Warner; on hiring talent
Clip begins at: 06:24 - On his relationship with NBC's David Sarnoff and CBS' William Paley; on Frank Stanton's unsung achievements at CBS; on his relationship with Walt Disney; on others' attempts to take over ABC
Clip begins at: 12:20 - On making a deal to merge with ITT (which fell through); on hiring young executives that would become instrumental to the television industry
Clip begins at: 19:49 - On ABC's success with Westerns and Action-adventure shows; on success with comedies and medical shows; on ABC's deal with Jerry Lewis
Clip begins at: 26:07 - Part 3
- On ABC's The Fugitive and The F.B.I.; on several other ABC hits and ABC's success with miniseries and movies of the week
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On changing the sponsorship model for television; on Ollie Treyz's contributions to ABC; on airing The McCarthy Hearings in their entirety
Clip begins at: 07:12 - On the success of American Bandstand; on the payola scandal; on his management style, executives he hired, and grooming a successor; on ABC becoming the number one network
Clip begins at: 12:43 - On Roone Arledge's impact on ABC, sports, and news; on the success of Monday Night Football
Clip begins at: 23:56 - Part 4
- On his most important decisions at ABC; on his career regrets; on his close relationships with several American Presidents
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On ABC news being the last network to switch from 15 to 30 minute broadcasts; on Peter Jennings becoming news anchor; on the ABC anchor team of Harry Reasoner and Barbara Walters; on changes in network news
Clip begins at: 12:00 - On ABC's successful Movies of the Week; on Roots; on believing in Aaron Spelling and shows he produced; on "jiggle television" at ABC
Clip begins at: 15:33 - On getting into cable television; on acquiring ESPN and starting A&E and Lifetime; on the future of network television; on merging with Capital Cities and Disney acquiring ABC
Clip begins at: 21:47 - Part 5
- On what represents the best of television and television at its best; on the network aftermath of JFK's assassination
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On thoughts on colleagues
Clip begins at: 03:21 - B-roll footage of photos from his life and career
Clip begins at: 09:53 - Part 6
- B-roll footage of photos from his life and career - at ABC, at events supporting fundraising for Cerebral Palsy, at school, and playing high school football
Clip begins at: 0:0 - B-roll footage of photos with Richard Nixon, Dick Clark, Walt Disney, Eleanor Roosevelt, Adolph Zukor and others
Clip begins at: 07:57 - Part 7
- B-roll footage of photos from his life and career, contd. - on photos with Richard Nixon; on his working relationship with Nixon and the Nixon-Kennedy debates; on photos with John F. Kennedy, Rupert Murdoch, and others
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his access to and relationships with American Presidents; on his paintings; on photos of awards and letters
Clip begins at: 23:42
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