Harry J. Pappas, whose Pappas Telecasting Companies was at one time the largest privately-held commercial television broadcast group in terms of household coverage in the United States, died on April 24 in Reno, according to The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences San Francisco/NorCal chapter. He was 78.
At its height, Pappas Telecasting had over 30 TV stations in states such as California, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Washington. Pappas played a key, early role in the growth of the Fox and WB networks, as some of his stations became Fox affiliates in the late-’80s and others a part of The WB and The CW Network lineups in the mid-’90s.
In 1971, the Modesto-born Pappas and his brothers Mike and Pete founded Pappas Telecasting TV station: KMPH in Fresno, CA. Harry later bought them out.
In 2008, the same year Pappas retired, 13 of his stations filed for bankruptcy protection. New World TV Group later acquired most of them.
Late last month, the two KMPH morning show anchors whom Pappas brought together when he was GM announced his death on air and bade their former boss an emotional farewell.
Harry Pappas was inducted into Broadcasting and Cable’s Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 50-plus years, Stella. He is also survived by his son John, daughter Mary Katherine, and her fiance Anthony. He was preceded in death by his mother Katherine, his father John, his brothers Pete and Mike, and his sister Mary Pappas Alfieris.
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