Paul Kenneth Taff (January 21, 1920 in Belleville, Illinois – January 3, 2013) was an American television executive, executive producer, and television producer. His credits included Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[1] Taff spearheaded the funding for Julia Child's first cooking show, The French Chef, which allowed the show to be aired nationwide and launched Child's television career.[1]
Paul Kenneth Taff | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1920 |
| Died | January 3, 2013 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | television executive, executive producer, television producer |
Taff had an over 70-year career in broadcasting. His career started during his college years as a control room operator and occasional announcer on WSOY radio in Decatur, Illinois. That beginning was followed by positions as continuity director and assistant program director at KFUO radio, St. Louis; program director at WBEZ radio, Chicago; program director at WTVP television, Decatur, Illinois; station manager at WMVS, an educational television station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; director of children’s programs and director of program operations, National Educational Television (NET), New York City, the predecessor to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS); president and general manager of Connecticut Educational Telecommunications Company, Hartford, Connecticut, which subsequently became Connecticut Public Broadcasting; and executive director, president and president emeritus of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association.
Taff graduated from Belleville High School and from Millikin University. He later received a master's degree in speech from Northwestern University and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the University of New Haven.[1]
Taff became the first television broadcaster to appear on WTVP (now WAND) in 1953, In Decatur, Illinois.[2]
As Director of Children's Programs for National Educational Television, he helped to secure funding to acquire the broadcasting rights for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[2] and bring it to a national television audience.
A resident of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Taff died on January 3, 2013, at the age of 92.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Paul Kenneth Taff (1920 - 2013) Obituary". Belleville News-Democrat. 2013-01-09. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- ^ a b "First WAND TV Broadcaster Dies". Decatur Radio. 2013-01-17. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-20.