Elton H. Rule (June 13, 1917-May 5, 1990) was an American television executive and former president of the

American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast Television broadcaster, television and radio Radio network, network that serves as the flagship property of the Disney Entertainment division ...

. Assuming the presidency at a time when ABC was a distant third in the

Nielsen ratings Nielsen Media Research (NMR) is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre, films (via the AMC Theatres MAP program), and newspapers. Headquartered in New York City, it is best known for the Nielsen rat ...

, Rule is credited with greatly expanding network revenue, ratings, affiliates and profits. He is also credited with developing the

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

, beginning with an adaptation of '' QB VII'' in 1974 and including the landmark ''

Roots A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients. Root or roots may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusin ...

'' in 1977. Rule served as network president from 1972 to 1983. Elton Rule died of cancer at his

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...

home in 1990.

References

1917 births 1990 deaths American Broadcasting Company executives Presidents of the American Broadcasting Company Deaths from cancer in California {{US-tv-bio-stub