The radio executive died last week at the age of 79.
Pattiz was a programmer and syndicator. He eventually took control of the Mutual Broadcasting System. MBS was the dog of the networks for a long time. Larry King kept it on the air when it really should have been out of business long ago. Pattiz, who named his company Westwood One, also had NBC Radio in its stable. By the time Westwood One acquired it, the luster was gone.
In addition to establishing and acquiring shows and networks, Pattiz accumulated a lot of debt. Others stepped in to run the company.
If you heard a weekend music countdown show, there is a good chance it came from Westwood One.
One other media note...
There was a one day work stoppage at the New York Times last week, and there is still the possibility of an all out strike. The last one was in 1978.
At one time, WNEP was a New York Times property, and I enjoyed being part of such a legacy and heritage-- both locally and on a corporate level. Like most print based company, the Times had problems transitioning in to the internet age. It is said to be doing well in that department. The media landscape has changed so much in recent years. I hope the management and the union come up with an agreement to keep the workers happy and position the company for successful competition in a strange new world.
