{{Short description|Canadian television executive (1956–2018)}} {{for|the American chemist|Jay Switzer (chemist)}} '''Jay Switzer''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}} (July 11, 1956 – January 29, 2018) was a Canadian television executive, most noted as a longtime senior executive of CHUM Limited.<ref name=thr>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jay-switzer-dead-veteran-canadian-tv-programmer-was-61-1071115 "Veteran Canadian TV Programmer Jay Switzer Dies at 61"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter'', January 29, 2018.</ref>
Born in Calgary, Alberta and raised in Lethbridge, he was the son of broadcast executives Israel Switzer and Phyllis Switzer.<ref name=thr/> He had his first job in broadcasting as a weekend switchboard operator for Citytv, and then worked as a cable installer for Maclean-Hunter, a director of television pilots and a research analyst for the ''Financial Post''. He attained an MBA from the University of Western Ontario's Ivey Business School,<ref name=cab>[http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/switzer-jay "Jay Switzer (1956-)"]. Canadian Communications Foundation, 2004.</ref> before rejoining Citytv as director of programming in 1983.<ref name=thr/> In that role, he also oversaw the launch and development of MuchMusic, the first of CHUM's forays into ownership and operation of cable channels.<ref name=cab/>
In March 2000, he was named senior vice-president and general manager of the company, before being promoted to president and chief executive officer in 2002.<ref>"CHUM set to move in new direction?: New CEO Switzer faces numerous major challenges". ''National Post'', December 2, 2002.</ref> He stepped down in 2007 after CHUM was acquired by CTVglobemedia.<ref>"CHUM CEO Switzer to step down". ''The Globe and Mail'', June 22, 2007.</ref> He then joined the board of directors of OutTV,<ref>"THE BIZ: DEALS AND MOVES IN CANADIAN ARTS". ''The Globe and Mail'', October 23, 2008.</ref> and became one of the founding investors in Glassbox Television.<ref>"GlassBOX Television Inc. Announces $5 million Series A Financing". ''Canada NewsWire'', June 9, 2008.</ref> In 2011, he was one of the founding partners in the new pay TV film service Hollywood Suite,<ref>"Hollywood Suite to offer HD films on TV 'substantially cheaper' than Netflix: Hollywood Suite to offer HD movies on TV". Canadian Press, August 23, 2011.</ref> and joined the board of directors of Shaftesbury Films.<ref>"Shaftesbury Appoints Industry Veteran Jay Switzer to its Board of Directors". ''Canada NewsWire'', August 29, 2011.</ref>
He was married to actress Ellen Dubin.<ref name=thr/>
He died in Toronto of brain cancer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8097181/jay-switzer-obit|title=Canadian Media Veteran Jay Switzer Dies at 61|publisher=Billboard|date=2017-01-30|accessdate=2017-01-29}}</ref>
==Honours== He was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004.<ref name=cab/>
He was named to the Order of Canada in December 2017.<ref>[http://playbackonline.ca/2017/12/12/jay-switzer-named-to-order-of-canada/ "Jay Switzer named to Order of Canada"]. ''Playback'', December 12, 2017.</ref> In January 2018, just before his death, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television named him as a recipient of its Board of Directors Tribute award, alongside Margaret Atwood, to honour his work in and commitments to the Canadian broadcasting industry.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/csa-special-awards-1.4370732 "Canadian Screen Awards: Peter Mansbridge, Karyn Pugliese, Margaret Atwood to be honoured"]. CBC News, October 30, 2017.</ref>
==References== {{Archival records|title=Jay Switzer fonds}} {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Switzer, Jay}} Category:1956 births Category:2018 deaths Category:Businesspeople from Calgary Category:Canadian Jews Category:Canadian television executives Category:Canadian Screen Award winners Category:Citytv people Category:Deaths from brain cancer in Ontario Category:Members of the Order of Canada Category:University of Western Ontario alumni