One of the most consequential executives in TV history has died.
Ohlmeyer worked for ABC Sports from 1967-77 and again in 2000, producing multiple Olympic Games and Monday Night Football during his initial stint. He assumed the latter role in 1972 — at age 27 — at the height of the Howard Cosell, Don Meredith and Frank Gifford era. He came back to produce MNF in 2000 with another memorable cast, Al Michaels, Dan Fouts and his own controversial hire, comic Dennis Miller.
In between, he joined NBC as executive producer of its sports division from 1977-82 — hiring Bob Costas and Marv Albert, among others — and as president of the company’s West Coast division from 1994-99. Along with NBC entertainment division president Warren Littlefield, Ohlmeyer presided over the network’s 1990s renaissance, a decade marked by the success of “Seinfeld” and “Friends.” It was in that role that he famously wished for the 1997 World Series, which NBC was set to carry, to end in four games so as not to interrupt its Thursday night “Must See TV” lineup.
Ohlmeyer’s most recent role was as ESPN’s ombudsman from 2009-11.
[AP via NYT 9.10]
