Frank Stanton (executive) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Stanton
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Frank Stanton, circa 1939
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Frank Nicholas Stanton
March 20, 1908 Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | December 24, 2006 (aged 98) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Occupation | President of CBS |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Stephenson |
| Parent(s) | Josephine Schmidt Frank Cooper Stanton |
Frank Nicholas Stanton (born March 20, 1908 – died December 24, 2006) was an important American leader in broadcasting. He was the president of CBS, a major television and radio network, from 1946 to 1971. After that, he became vice chairman until 1973. He also led the Rand Corporation, a research organization, from 1961 to 1967.
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Early Life and Education
Frank Stanton was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on March 20, 1908. His parents were Helen Josephine Schmidt and Frank Cooper Stanton. He went to Stivers High School in Dayton, Ohio.
After high school, he studied at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1930. In 1931, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Stephenson.
Stanton then taught at a high school in Dayton for a year. Later, he went to Ohio State University. There, he earned his Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in 1935. For his Ph.D. research, he invented a special device. This device could automatically record how people listened to the radio. This helped him study radio listening habits.
Starting His Career at CBS
Soon after getting his Ph.D., Frank Stanton joined the CBS research department. He was only the third person to work there. By 1942, he had become a vice president at CBS.
During World War II, he helped the U.S. government. He advised groups like the Office of War Information and the Department of the Navy. He was also part of a secret group created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This group, called the "Eisenhower Ten," planned for national emergencies.
Major Achievements at CBS
Frank Stanton played a big role in many important changes in television.
Bringing Color Television to Homes
Stanton helped lead the effort to bring color television to American homes. By 1950, CBS had been working on its own color TV system for ten years. On October 11, 1950, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved CBS's system. This made it the first official color standard for TV in the U.S.
Actual color broadcasting started on June 25, 1951. On that day, Stanton appeared on a special TV show called Premiere. He was with famous people like Ed Sullivan to introduce the new CBS color system.
However, CBS color broadcasting only lasted four months. The U.S. government stopped the making of color TV sets because of the Korean War. When the ban ended in 1953, CBS decided not to continue with its system. A big problem was that CBS's color system was not "compatible." This meant it didn't work with the black-and-white TV sets people already owned.
Another company, RCA, was developing a different color system. RCA's system was compatible with black-and-white TVs. In late 1953, the FCC changed its mind and approved RCA's system for color TV broadcasting.
Televising Presidential Debates
Frank Stanton organized the very first televised presidential debate in American history. For eight years, he worked to convince the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change a rule. This rule, called Section 315, said that all political candidates had to get equal air time.
Stanton's efforts allowed the first two-candidate presidential debate to happen in 1960. It was held at a CBS studio in Chicago. The candidates were John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Many people believed Kennedy looked better on TV, which helped him win the election.
However, these debates stopped after 1960. Later presidents and candidates, like Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, chose not to debate on TV. Televised presidential debates didn't start again until 1976.
Protecting Freedom of the Press
As president of CBS, Stanton faced a big challenge from the government in 1971. This challenge was about a documentary called "The Selling of the Pentagon." The show looked at how the government spent a lot of money to promote military ideas.
Some people who appeared in the program said their interviews were changed. The House of Representatives asked CBS to provide its unedited video and scripts. They wanted to see if anything was distorted.
Frank Stanton refused to give these materials to the government. He argued that news organizations have freedom of the press. This right is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. He said that if the government could demand these materials, it would create a "chilling effect." This means news reporters might be afraid to report certain stories if they thought the government would interfere.
For his strong stand, Stanton received a special Peabody Award. He also shared other Peabody Awards given to CBS.
Retirement and Later Life
CBS had a rule that its employees had to retire at age 65. Frank Stanton himself had helped create this rule. So, he retired from CBS in 1973. Even though he wanted to stay longer, he followed his own policy.
After retiring, Stanton continued to work as a consultant for CBS for many years. He also made investments in new companies.
Helping Others Through Philanthropy
Frank Stanton was a dedicated volunteer for the Red Cross for many years. He focused on sharing information and raising money. After leaving CBS, President Richard Nixon appointed him Chairman of the American National Red Cross in 1973. He served in this role until 1979.
He also served on the 100th Anniversary Committee for The Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1969 to 1970.
Death and Legacy
Frank Stanton passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 24, 2006. He was 98 years old.
Stanton founded the Center for Communication in New York in 1980. This center helps students interested in media connect with professionals in the industry. Each year, the center gives out a Frank Stanton Award to people who show great achievement in communication.
The Frank Stanton Studios in Los Angeles are home to American Public Media's Marketplace radio show. The Harvard School of Public Health also has a Frank Stanton Directorship for its Center for Health Communication.
After his death, the philanthropic Stanton Foundation was created. In 2011, the Stanton Foundation gave a large grant of $3.6 million to the Wikimedia Foundation, which supports Wikipedia. The Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic at the Ohio State University was named in his honor in 2021.
Awards and Honors
- 1957: Paul White Award, Radio Television Digital News Association
- 1971: Paul White Award, Radio Television Digital News Association
- 1984: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
- 1986: Television Hall of Fame
- 1990: National Radio Hall of Fame
