Jack Gleeson (television executive)

John Fredolin Gleeson AM KSG (12 July 1922 - 30 January 2018) was an Australian television executive.[2][3]

Jack Gleeson

AM KSG
Born(1922-07-12)12 July 1922[1]
Warwick, Queensland, Australia
Died30 January 2018(2018-01-30) (aged 95)[1]
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Occupation(s)television and radio executive
Known forbringing television to North Queensland
AwardsQueensland Great (2015)

Gleeson had an extensive career in the radio and television industry but is perhaps best known for his lengthy tenure as chairman of Telecasters North Queensland, of which he was also a major shareholder.[4]

In this position, he is credited with introducing the first television service to Northern Australia with the inauguration of the first television station north of Brisbane in 1962.[5]

Life and career

Gleeson commenced his career working as a technician before buying radio station 4AY in the 1950s.[5]

Gleeson then moved into television, becoming chairman of Telecasters North Queensland which saw Townsville become the first city north of Brisbane to receive television with the launch of TNQ-7 on 1 November 1962.[6] Telecasters North Queensland then purchased Cairns station FNQ-10 with both stations sharing a programming schedule and sharing the name NQTV.[6]

Gleeson saw NQTV through aggregation which saw the station change its name to QTV and expand into southern areas of regional Queensland.[6] However, a tense battle with the Nine Network ensued with Telecasters North Queensland attempting to secure an affiliation agreement to have Nine's programs broadcast on QTV.[7]

Despite promising negotiations with Kerry Packer which saw QTV begin to promote Nine's programs on air, Gleeson ultimately lost out when Packer terminated an agreement with Telecasters North Queensland on 24 December 1989, just days before aggregation commenced.[8][9][10]

QTV was forced to enter a quick supply agreement to secure a Network Ten affiliation instead.[11] Although disappointed by Nine's decision to pull out of the deal they had made with QTV, Gleeson described the arrangement with Network Ten as "satisfactory" citing the network's improved ratings nationally which he believed would enhance QTV's future.[11]

Gleeson died on 30 January 2018 at the age of 95.[2] His funeral service was held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville on 5 February 2018.[3]

Honours

In the 1985 Australia Day Honours, Gleeson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the Australian radio and television industry.[12]

He was conferred with an honorary doctorate from the Australian Catholic University in 2005.[13]

Gleeson was named as a Queensland Great in 2015.[14]

In 2006, he was awarded a papal knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI.[14]

References
  1. "Condolences: John (Jack) Fredolin Gleeson". My Tributes. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2023. John (Jack) Fredolin Gleeson 12.7.1922 - 30.1.2018
  2. Warburton, Bettina (30 January 2018). "Townsville's first man of television Jack Gleeson dies peacefully". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  3. Riley, Rachel (5 February 2018). "Jack Gleeson funeral: 'Father of Townsville' laid to rest". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  4. Wright, Lea (6 December 1988). "Bond's TNQ sits on the shelf". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 42. Retrieved 22 June 2023. Other major shareholders in TNQ are Fulcrum Capital Corporation, former owner of NBN-3 Newcastle with 16% and chairman of TNQ Mr Jack Gleeson, holding 15%.
  5. Desailly, Georgie (3 October 2022). "Looking around the corner". BDMag. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  6. Bayley, Andrew (1 November 2012). "Townsville television turns 50". Television.AU. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  7. O'Neill, John (16 March 1991). "Nine told station to cut local programs". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  8. "Nine Network drops affiliation deal in Qld". The Canberra Times. 27 December 1989. p. 2. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  9. O'Neill, John (5 January 1991). "Loss of Nine to hit TNQ". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  10. O'Neill, John (12 January 1991). "Packer's chopper squad ambushes regionals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 June 2023. according to Jack Gleeson, TNQ chairman, represented a 200 per increase on the price paid for programs last year. He says he and his board were told if they didn't accept the price they would get no Nine product, and they were given until Monday evening to "ponder" the demand.
  11. Wright, Lea (19 April 1991). "TNQ TV unfazed by downturn". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 28. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  12. "Award: 883034". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1985. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  13. "Honorary doctorate holders". Australian Catholic University. Retrieved 22 June 2023. 2005...Mr John Fredolin Gleeson AM (deceased) — Honorary Doctorate conferred on 14 April 2005
  14. "2015 recipients: John (Jack) Gleeson AM KSG". Queensland Greats Awards. Queensland Government. 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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