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James Lindenberg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Lindenberg
Chairman, Bolinao Electronics Corporation (now ABS-CBN Corporation)
In office
June 13, 1946 – 1952
Succeeded byAntonio Quirino (1952–1957 as Chairman of Alto Broadcasting Corporation)
Eugenio Lopez, Sr. (Chronicle Broadcasting Network)
Personal details
Born(1921-12-20)December 20, 1921
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 28, 2009(2009-04-28) (aged 87)
Makati, Philippines
SpouseSoledad S. Lindenberg
ProfessionEngineer

James Lindenberg (December 20, 1921 – April 28, 2009)[1] was an American-born Filipino engineer and businessman. He moved to the Philippines in the 1940s. He is credited for his founding of Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC), the precursor of ABS-CBN Corporation, and dubbed as the Father of Philippine Television.[2]

Career in the Philippines

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On July 11, 1946, he began assembling transmitters and established Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC).[3] The company was named after his wife's hometown of Bolinao, Pangasinan. He was the first to applied to the Philippine Congress for a license to open a television station three years later. His wish was fulfilled on June 14, 1950, one year later. Instead, he had to get into radio broadcasting because of the tight import controls (since 1948) and lack of raw materials.[4]

His attempt to put up a television station did not go to waste. Antonio Quirino, a judge and brother of then-Philippine President Elpidio Quirino, had been trying to get a license from Congress that would allow him to put up a television station. The Congress, however, denied him from getting such a license for the fear that he might use it as a vehicle for propaganda for his brother who was then running for a second term in the presidential elections of 1953. Because of this, Antonio Quirino bought a 70% share in BEC,[4] which earned him indirect control of a television franchise. He changed the name of BEC to Alto Broadcasting System (ABS). Lindenberg continued to be a co-owner and served as the general manager.[4]. On February 24, 1957, Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. acquired ABS from Quirino and Lindenberg.[5][6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Farewell to the Father of Philippine Television". www.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. ^ Salterio, Leah C. "2003: A good year for ABS-CBN — and how!". The Philippine Star.
  3. ^ "ABS-CBN Corporation - Company Information". PSE Edge. Philippine Stock Exchange. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Geocities: The Philippine TV History. Accessed January 23, 2009.
  5. ^ Rodrigo, Raul (February 28, 2020). "How Don Eugenio Lopez bought ABS from the Quirinos to build a broadcast giant". ANC X. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "ABS-CBN's 50th year celebrates Philippine television". The Philippine Star.
Preceded by
First
Bolinao Electronics Corporation (now ABS-CBN Corporation) Chairman
June 13, 1946 – 1952
Succeeded by
Antonio Quirino
(as Alto Broadcasting System)