• by Wayne Friedman , December 10, 2007

TV industry giant Roger King, who was a major force in defining the modern TV syndication business, died on Saturday at 63, from stroke suffered Friday at his home in Boca Raton, Fla.

King, who was most recently CEO of CBS Television Distribution, led King World Productions for over two decades with his brother Michael--giving the syndication business its biggest programs over that time, including "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and, most recently, "Dr. Phil."

King and his brother took over their father's small syndication company, King World Productions, in the mid-70s. Until then, the company was known for syndicating "The Little Rascals."

It wasn't until 1983 that King World found its first big show--a modestly performing network game show from Merv Griffin Enterprises called "Wheel of Fortune." That year, King World sold the show on a station-by-station basis covering less than half the country. But with big rating successes in those markets, the show went wider in 1984--reaching over 180 stations to cover more than 95% of U.S. TV households.

King World also launched "Jeopardy," also from Merv Griffin, in 1984--and it too scored big ratings as both quickly moved to become the top two shows in syndication. After that came "Oprah Winfrey"--another hit in King World's stable.

In 1999, King World was sold to CBS for $2.5 billion to take advantage of aligning itself with a major station group, just as other syndicator groups had done with major studios.

Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corp., said Saturday in a statement: "Television has lost a legend; a truly original executive with an unparalleled combination of business acumen, passion and personality. CBS has lost a colleague and good friend. It's a very sad day for CBS and for all of broadcasting."

Mr. King was named into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 1992; given TelevisionWeek's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004.

Mr. King is survived by his wife, Raemali, and three daughters.

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