13 Facts About Bob Rosencrans

1.

Robert Morris "Bob" Rosencrans was a cable television industry pioneer who helped create C-SPAN, an American public affairs television network.

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2.

Bob Rosencrans's parents were Alvin, an Austrian immigrant who imported ornaments for women's hats, and Eva Greene, a Russian immigrant who was a fashion designer for Alvin's sister, Nettie Rosenstein.

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3.

Bob Rosencrans had plans to attend Dartmouth College until his older brother died in combat during World War II.

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4.

Bob Rosencrans enlisted and served in the United States Army Air Forces, then earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Columbia University in 1949.

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5.

Bob Rosencrans conceived the idea of a cable system after BOT purchased TelePrompTer in 1956 with the goal of expanding its closed-circuit programming.

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6.

Bob Rosencrans did so in order to broadcast "Thrilla in Manila", the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to its subscribers in Florida.

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7.

Bob Rosencrans is credited for persuading Madison Square Garden to launch the television network MSG.

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8.

Bob Rosencrans was an early financial backer and founding board chair of C-SPAN, an American public affairs television network.

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9.

Bob Rosencrans served on the C-SPAN board for nearly 40 years and was designated its chairman emeritus until his death.

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10.

Bob Rosencrans started the cable multiple system operator Columbia International, which sold in 1995 for an estimated $600 million.

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11.

In 2000, Bob Rosencrans was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame, which recognizes "ground-breaking leaders who have shaped and advanced" the cable telecommunications industry.

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12.

Bob Rosencrans was an investor in the video discussion website Bloggingheads.

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13.

Bob Rosencrans was Jewish and described by The New York Times as a "political liberal".

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