James H. Rosenfield Sr., a veteran media executive and former executive vice president of CBS Broadcast Group, passed away on September 26 at the age of 97.
Rosenfield built an extensive career within CBS, where he began as an account executive in network television sales. Over the years, he rose to become president of CBS Television Network and, eventually, executive vice president of CBS Broadcast Group, a position from which he oversaw the network's main operating divisions, including CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Entertainment, and CBS Sports.
His beginnings at CBS alongside William S. Paley
Early in his career, William S. Paley entrusted him with the network's sales relationship with the agency Grey Advertising, a responsibility that proved key to his rise within the company.
His role as executive vice president and the relationship with the creative side
Rosenfield defined his own role within CBS with a distinction that became famous among those who worked with him: "One of the things I understood in this business is that there are two types of people who live side by side: the creative people and the suits. And I was a suit," he noted at the time.
As he explained, that understanding of roles allowed him to collaborate effectively with the CBS creative team, including Bud Grant, who led CBS Entertainment for much of the 1980s.
Rosenfield recalled the initial tensions with the creative department: "The creative department wasn't thrilled about having to report to this suit from New York. And I said to Bud Grant, whom I had known for many years: 'I'm not going to interfere in your programming decision process... You are the creative one and I am the suit.'"
From that working relationship emerged hit series such as Murder, She Wrote and Newhart.
Career after retiring from CBS
Rosenfield retired from CBS in 1985. He subsequently became president of JHR Associates, a firm from which he advised traditional and new media companies, including broadcasting, cable, interactive media, internet, and video game companies.
Throughout his career, he also held positions of institutional relevance: he was president of the International Radio & Television Society (IRTS), chairman and board member of the Advertising Council, and served on the boards of Internews International and Salon Media, among other organizations. He was also a life member of the International Council of the Television Academy.
Family and funeral
Rosenfield is survived by his partner, Charlotte Rosenblatt; his daughter, Laurie Rosenfield, and his son-in-law, Peter Falk; his son, Jim Rosenfield Jr., and his wife, Dana Conroy; his grandchildren Jamie, Kitt, Kristen, Kerrin, and Kendall; his five great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Clare Rosenfield, and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Stenbuck Rosenfield, and his brother, Dr. Allan Rosenfield.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, located at 180 W 76th St., in New York. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in memory of Rosenfield be made to The Reisenbach Philanthropies.
Frequently asked questions about James H. Rosenfield Sr.
Who was James H. Rosenfield Sr.?
He was a media executive who spent his entire career at CBS, where he became president of CBS Television Network and later executive vice president of CBS Broadcast Group, overseeing divisions such as CBS News, CBS Entertainment, and CBS Sports.
When and at what age did James H. Rosenfield Sr. die?
He passed away on September 26 at the age of 97, according to the confirmation of his passing.
Which television series are associated with his time at CBS?
During his tenure as executive vice president, and in collaboration with Bud Grant at CBS Entertainment, the network produced hits such as Murder, She Wrote and Newhart.
What did he do after retiring from CBS?
After retiring from CBS in 1985, Rosenfield founded and presided over JHR Associates, a consultancy that advised broadcasting, cable, interactive media, internet, and video game companies.
When and where will his funeral be held?
The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, at 180 W 76th St., New York.
