Paul Morton, one of the original investors in CanWest Broadcasting, passed away Wednesday. He was 85.
Morton, the son of Henry Morton, founder of the Odeon Morton chain of theatres in Winnipeg, initially went into the family business before applying for a licence to launch independent television station, CKND-TV Winnipeg in 1973, alongside tax lawyer and politician Izzy Asper, former journalist Peter Liba, and broadcast engineer Seymour Epstein.
Asper and Morton went on to help rescue the fledgling Global TV, partnering with radio mogul Allan Slaight in an $11.2 million bailout. Slaight went on to trigger the partnership’s “shotgun” clause in an attempted takeover bid that ultimately saw Morton and Asper gain a controlling interest in the network.
Morton would go on to serve as head of Global TV, until eventually he and Epstein parted ways with Asper in a bitter, protracted legal battle, each receiving $131 million for their 40% stake in the company.
Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 30 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.
