TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Michael King, innovative syndicator of 'Oprah,' dies at 67

Michael King, an innovative TV syndicator who helped make stars of Oprah Winfrey, Dr

Frazier Moore (The Jakarta Post)
New York
Fri, May 29, 2015

Share This Article

Change Size

Michael King, innovative syndicator of 'Oprah,' dies at 67

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. (***)

 

 

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.