# Ian Greenberg

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Canadian businessman (1942–2022)

Ian Greenberg Born (1942-06-15)15 June 1942 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Died 10 January 2022(2022-01-10) (aged 79) Occupations President & chief executive officer, Astral Media Inc.[1] Spouse Linda Children 3

**Ian Greenberg** (15 June 1942 – 10 January 2022) was a Canadian businessman and media pioneer. He was the co-founder of [Astral Media Inc.](/source/Astral_Media) and served as its president and chief executive officer from 1996 until 2013.[1]

## Early life

Greenberg was born in [Montreal](/source/Montreal)[2] on 15 June 1942.[3] He was one of ten children of Annie and Abraham Greenberg, who worked as a municipal bailiff.[4] Greenberg grew up in a humble household, and his mother died in 1961 when he was nineteen.[4][5] He graduated from [Harvard Business School](/source/Harvard_Business_School)'s six-week Advanced Management program.[4]

## Career

In 1961, Greenberg, along with his brothers [Harold](/source/Harold_Greenberg), Sidney and Harvey, co-founded what would eventually become [Astral Media Inc](/source/Astral_Media). They took out a [C$](/source/Canadian_dollar)15,000 loan from the future father-in-law of Sidney and named their business Angreen Photo Inc., in honour of their late mother.[4][5] It was initially focused on [photographic processing](/source/Photographic_processing) – drawing on the previous work experience of two of his older brothers[4] – and was based inside [Miracle Mart](/source/Miracle_Mart) department stores.[5][6] The brothers secured exclusive rights to sell photo merchandise at [Expo 67](/source/Expo_67) held in their hometown.[4]

They eventually made their business, since renamed to Astral Communications, a [public company](/source/Public_company) in 1974.[5] It took over the Pathé-Humphries motion picture lab that same year, and went on to be known as AstralTech.[6] The company expanded into other business areas, such as the production and distribution of films and television shows.[2][5] Although its early productions were mediocre, the sex comedy *[Porky's](/source/Porky's)* (1982) became the highest-grossing Canadian movie at the North American box office for two decades until *[My Big Fat Greek Wedding](/source/My_Big_Fat_Greek_Wedding)* in 2002.[5]

The success of *Porky's* enabled Astral to have more room to manoeuvre financially,[2] and the Greenberg brothers quickly divested from film production in favour of [pay television](/source/Pay_television).[5][6] After Harold's death in 1996, Greenberg assumed control of the company as president and chief executive officer. He gradually transformed the company, which had begun as a photographic specialty business, into a pure-play media company (in the 1990s), focused on television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties.[5][6] The business was again rebranded in February 2000 as Astral Media.[6]

Before its sale in 2013, Astral Media had over 2,800 employees in fifty cities across Canada.[7] Under Greenberg's direction, [Astral Media](/source/Astral_Media) had grown to operate 84 radio stations,[8] 24 pay and specialty television channels,[9] and over 9,500 out-of-home advertising faces.[10] The company also operated over 100 websites.[11]

On March 16, 2012, Astral Media announced it had signed an agreement to sell the company to [BCE, Inc](/source/Bell_Canada) (Bell Canada). The [Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission](/source/Canadian_Radio-television_and_Telecommunications_Commission) (CRTC) initially denied BCE's bid to acquire Astral seven months later, but ultimately approved a re-tooled bid in 2013.[12]

## Personal life

Greenberg and his brothers were awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award for their exceptional contributions to philanthropic endeavours in 1993.[13] He was a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and a governor of the [Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital](/source/Sir_Mortimer_B._Davis_Jewish_General_Hospital) in Montreal.[13] He was also a member of the board of directors of [Bell Canada Enterprises](/source/BCE_Inc.) (BCE) and [Cineplex Entertainment](/source/Cineplex_Entertainment).[14]

Greenberg resided in Montreal with his wife Linda. They had three children and nine grandchildren. He died on 10 January 2022, at the age of 79.[5][13]

## Awards

- 1993: Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award, co-awarded with his brothers[13][14]

- 2007: Ted Rogers and Velma Rogers Graham Award[13][14]

- 2008: Inducted in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Hall of Fame[15]

- 2013: Inducted in the Canadian Business Hall of Fame[16]

- 2013: Academy Special Award, for exceptional achievement in Canadian film and TV[17]

- May 8, 2014: Inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame[16]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-reuters_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-reuters_1-1) ["Company Search Results"](https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/lookup). *U.S*. Reuters. Retrieved 22 January 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pitts_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pitts_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pitts_2-2) Pitts, Gordon (December 10, 2007). ["Ian Greenberg: No. 1 with a bullet"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ian-greenberg-no-1-with-a-bullet/article20406759/). *The Globe and Mail*. Toronto. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220112073913/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ian-greenberg-no-1-with-a-bullet/article20406759/) from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Paperman_obit_3-0)** ["Ian Greenberg – Funeral Information, Obituary, Condolences"](https://www.paperman.com/en/funerals/2022-1-13-ian-greenberg). Paperman & Sons. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-GandM_4-5) ["Astral: The Canadian media player to watch - The Globe and Mail"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101230033058/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/astral-the-canadian-media-player-to-watch/article1405602/print/). *[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/astral-the-canadian-media-player-to-watch/article1405602/print/) on 2010-12-30.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-CP_obit_5-8) Friend, David (January 11, 2022). ["Ian Greenberg, media executive and co-founder of Astral, dies at 79"](https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/01/11/ian-greenberg-media-executive-and-co-founder-of-astral-dies-at-79.html). *Toronto Star*. The Canadian Press. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Historica_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Historica_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Historica_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Historica_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Historica_6-4) Potter, Jessica (January 27, 2010). ["Astral Media"](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/astral-media). *The Canadian Encyclopedia*. Historica Canada. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-La_Presse_obit_7-0)** Brousseau-Pouliot, Vincent (January 11, 2022). ["L'homme d'affaires Ian Greenberg est décédé"](https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2022-01-11/cofondateur-d-astral-media/l-homme-d-affaires-ian-greenberg-est-decede.php). *La Presse*. Montreal. Retrieved January 12, 2022. (in French)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Bell CEO says takeover of Astral good for Canadians"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bell-ceo-says-takeover-of-astral-good-for-canadians-1.1354298). CBC News. May 6, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lasalle, Luann (March 21, 2012). ["BCE–Astral deal likely to spur job cuts"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bce-astral-deal-likely-to-spur-job-cuts/article535111/). *The Globe and Mail*. Toronto. The Canadian Press. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ladurantaye, Steve (April 11, 2012). ["Astral goes mobile with HBO app"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/astral-goes-mobile-with-hbo-app/article4223312/). *The Globe and Mail*. Toronto. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Bell to acquire Astral Media for $3.38 billion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120721112413/http://www.ctvnews.ca/bell-to-acquire-astral-media-for-3-38-billion-1.782807). CTV News. March 16, 2012. Archived from [the original](https://www.ctvnews.ca/bell-to-acquire-astral-media-for-3-38-billion-1.782807) on July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["CRTC denies BCE's bid to acquire Astral"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121021002339/http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2012/r121018.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2012/r121018.htm) on 2012-10-21.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-obit_press_release_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-obit_press_release_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-obit_press_release_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-obit_press_release_13-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-obit_press_release_13-4) ["Ian Greenberg, Canadian media pioneer, dies at 79"](https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/ian-greenberg-canadian-media-pioneer-dies-at-79/). CTV News. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CBHF_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CBHF_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CBHF_14-2) ["Ian Greenberg"](https://cbhf.ca/ian-greenberg). Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Canadian Association of Broadcasters"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081201004944/http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/media/news/08/nr_oct1708.shtm). *www.cab-acr.ca*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/media/news/08/nr_oct1708.shtm) on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-urbanheromagazine.com_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-urbanheromagazine.com_16-1) ["Ian Greenberg To Be Inducted Into Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall Of Fame at CMW 2014 - Urban Hero Magazine - UHM - "Live Music" coverage of Indie, Rock, Country, Blues, Metal, R&B music and more... Now, that's EXCITING!"](http://urbanheromagazine.com/issue/april-2014/article/ian-greenberg-to-be-inducted-into-canadian-broadcast-industry-hall-of-fame-at-cmw-2014). *urbanheromagazine.com*. Retrieved 22 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Ng See Quan, Danielle (February 5, 2013). ["Victor Loewy, Ian Greenberg to receive Academy special awards"](http://playbackonline.ca/2013/02/05/victor-loewy-ian-greenberg-to-receive-academy-special-awards/). *playbackonline.ca*. Retrieved 22 January 2019.

v t e Bell Media (and other broadcasting properties of BCE Inc.) Terrestrial TV and free streaming CTV (O&O) Stations CIVT-DT Vancouver CFCN-DT Calgary CFRN-DT Edmonton CFQC-DT Saskatoon CKCK-DT Regina CICC-DT Yorkton CIPA-DT Prince Albert CKY-DT Winnipeg CTV Northern Ontario CHBX-TV Sault Ste. Marie CICI-TV Greater Sudbury CITO-TV Timmins CKNY-DT North Bay CKCO-DT Kitchener CFTO-DT Toronto CJOH-DT Ottawa CFCF-DT Montreal CTV Atlantic CKLT-DT Saint John CKCW-DT Moncton CJCH-DT Halifax CJCB-DT Sydney CTV 2 (O&O) Stations CIVI-DT Victoria CFTK-TV Terrace CJDC-TV Dawson Creek CHWI-DT Windsor CFPL-DT London CKVR-DT Barrie CHRO-TV Ottawa Noovo (O&O) Stations CFJP-DT Montreal CFKS-DT Sherbrooke CFKM-DT Trois-Rivières CFAP-DT Quebec City CFRS-DT Saguenay Subscription TV and streaming CTV 2 CTV 2 Alberta CTV 2 Atlantic CTV-branded (excluding news) CTV Comedy Channel CTV Drama Channel CTV Life Channel CTV Nature Channel CTV Sci-Fi Channel CTV Speed Channel CTV Wild Channel CTV News BNN Bloomberg CP24 CTV News Channel Sports RDS RDS2 RDS Info TSN TSN2 Premium and PPV Cinépop Crave Movies + HBO Starz Super Écran Vu!1 Venus1 Other English-language E! Much Oxygen TV12 USA Network Other French-language Canal D Canal Vie Investigation Z iHeartRadio Canada AM CFAX CFGO CFRA CFRB CHUM CJAD CKGM CKHJ CKLW FM CFBR-FM CFBT-FM CFCA-FM CFIX-FM CFMG-FM CFWM-FM CFXY-FM CHBD-FM CHBE-FM CHEY-FM CHIK-FM CHOM-FM CHQM-FM CHUM-FM CHVR-FM CIBK-FM CIBX-FM CICS-FM CICX-FM CICZ-FM CIDR-FM CIGB-FM CIMF-FM CIMO-FM CIMX-FM CIOO-FM CIQM-FM CITE-FM CITE-FM-1 CITF-FM CJAB-FM CJAY-FM CJBX-FM CJCH-FM CJFM-FM CJMJ-FM CJMM-FM CJMV-FM CKFM-FM CKKL-FM CKKW-FM CKMF-FM CKMM-FM CKTF-FM CKX-FM CKXA-FM Networks Boom Bounce Énergie iHeartRadio (CA licence) Move Pure Country Rouge FM TSN Radio Virgin Radio (CA licence) Broadcasting studios Vancouver Toronto 9 Channel Nine Court 299 Queen Street West 250 Richmond Street West Other BMI assets Astral Out-of-Home CTV Specialty Television Predecessors Telegram Corporation Baton Broadcasting Mid-Canada Communications Electrohome Craig Media CHUM Limited Access Media Group CTVglobemedia Astral Media Former/defunct properties Baton Broadcast System WTSN Viewers Choice GolTV Leafs Nation Network NHL Network M3 Comedy Gold Bravo Discovery ID Animal Planet Discovery Velocity Discovery Science BookTelevision Fashion Television Vrak ESPN Classic MTV MTV2 EZ Rock Notes 1Owned (or part-owned) by BCE separately from its ownership of Bell Media. 2Community channels operated as part of Bell Fibe TV and Bell Aliant Fibe TV; also not part of Bell Media. BCE Inc. Associated foundations: BravoFACT MuchFACT Some of the assets listed above are only partially owned by Bell Media. Refer to full asset list for detailed information.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ian Greenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Greenberg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Greenberg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.