CBS, CNN executive Robert Wussler dies

• Tweet

NEW YORK, June 12 (UPI) -- Television executive Robert Wussler, a co-founder of CNN and a president of CBS Television in the 1970s, died this week in Connecticut at the age of 73.

Wussler led CBS Sports in the 1970s and was president of the CBS Television Network during his 21-year career with the network.

The Newark native teamed up with Ted Turner in the 1980s to launch CNN and serve in top posts with Turner's other broadcast businesses as well as the Atlanta Braves and Hawks franchises.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday that Wussler's wide-ranging career earned him six Emmy Awards and a bevy of other honors.

His accomplishments included production of CBS' coverage of President Nixon's trip to China and the funerals of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

While at the helm of CBS Sports, Wussler developed the NFL pre-game show.

Wussler died at his home in Connecticut after a long illness.