Leonard H. Goldenson

The first Archive of American Television interview -- Leonard Goldenson (1905–99) was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Long Boat Key, FL.  Goldenson talked extensively about the formation of ABC, its programming and the competition it faced from the other networks and Hollywood studios.  He fondly recalled ABC's eventual rise to become one of television's formidable powers, despite doubts from William Paley and David Sarnoff.  He also discussed ABC's long partnership with Walt Disney, the creation of ABC Sports and the very first broadcast of a television "mini-series."  The interview was conducted by Marvin Wolf on May 14, 1996.