Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame

Don Swartz
2001 Charter Inductee

Don Swartz is a true pioneer in broadcasting and entertainment, one of the first television syndicators and later the leader of one of the country's most successful independent television stations. His career began in the film distribution business in the late 1930s. He entered television in its beginnings in the early 1950s when he began distributing films and other programming to television stations. In 1957 he joined with National Telefilm Associates in acquiring what is now KMSP TV Minneapolis/Saint Paul, and later became president of United Television, which owned stations in Salt Lake City, Utah, San Antonio, Texas, and San Francisco, California, as well as KMSP. Under his leadership, the station acquired an ABC affiliation in 1960. When it became an independent again in 1979, he helped it become one of the best known and most successful independents, reaching eight states over cable systems. He also has been very active in the community, serving as president of the University of Minnesota Heart Hospital, coaching little league baseball, and volunteering in many other organizations.