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    Michael King, innovative syndicator of “Oprah,” dies at 67

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments5789 Views
    In this photo April 25, 2012 file photo, Michael King talks to the media during a news conference at a boxing gym in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

    By Frazier Moore, Television Writer

    NEW YORK (AP) --

    Michael King, an innovative TV syndicator who helped make stars of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil McGraw and Rachael Ray, has died.

    A family member confirms King died Wednesday in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia. He was 67.

    With his brother Roger, Michael King inherited King World Productions in 1972 from their father, Charles King, who had founded the company eight years earlier to syndicate classic "Our Gang" theatrical comedy shorts.

    Under the brothers' management, King World rose to be the industry's leading distributor of first-run syndicated programming, bringing such shows to TV as "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Dr. Phil."

    The King-syndicated "Wheel of Fortune" paired host Pat Sajak and letter turner Vanna White. It has remained a hit for decades, as has the syndicated "Jeopardy!" that King World re-introduced, having obtained the rights to both game shows.

    King World also launched the long-running syndicated news magazine "Inside Edition."

    Roger King died in 2007 at age 63.

    In 2000, King World was acquired by CBS.

    Michael King is survived by his wife Jena, two sons and two daughters.

    Tags:King World ProductionsMichael KingOprah Winfrey



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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