Canadian Media Giant Ted Rogers Passes Away

Canadian media magnate Ted Rogers, founder and CEO of Rogers Communications, has died.

Rogers, 75, died at his Toronto home on December 2, surrounded by loved ones, said a statement from the company's board of directors. He had recently been admitted to hospital for an existing cardiac condition.

In 1960, Rogers laid the foundation for his company while studying law with the purchase of CHFI, a Toronto FM radio station. At the time, the FM format was considered obscure.

Rogers went on to dominate the cable television provider market, leading the way for cellular and wireless communications. He flirted with bankruptcy when he decided to invest in high-speed internet making Rogers one of the first cable companies in the world to do so.

Along with the Rogers media conglomerate, including over 50 magazines, a number of television and radio station, Rogers bought the the Toronto Blue Jays and the Skydome, renaming it Rogers Centre.

Rogers Communications hasn't named a successor. The company said its board will form a special committee to search for candidates. Alan Horn, currently chairman of Rogers Communications, will take on the role of acting CEO in the meantime.

Ted Rogers is survived by his wife, Loretta, whom he married in 1963, and their four children - Edward, Lisa, Melinda and Martha.

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