R.I.P.: Broadcast, Cable Entrepeneur Glenn Jones

Glenn Jones

Glenn R. Jones, a radio, cable industry and distance education pioneer and founder of Jones Intercable and several other technology and media-focused companies, died Tuesday morning.

He was 85, according to Multi-Channel News.

“On behalf of the Jones International team, I am deeply saddened to share that Glenn R. Jones passed away this morning,” Stacey Slaughter, CEO of Jones/NCTI, said in a statement issued on behalf of the Jones International family.

“Glenn was a man before his time. He transformed the communications, information, entertainment and educational landscape by bringing cable television into millions of American homes. He freed higher education from the brick walls of traditional universities by bringing learning to people in their own homes, first via cable and later through the Internet and mobile devices. While the word visionary is often overused, it’s a perfect description for Glenn. He leaves a tremendous legacy for our Jones companies and for the industries he served."

Jones was founder of  Jones Media Networks, a network content and e-commerce company that developed programming for radio, television, cable TV networks, and the Internet.  Jones Radio Networks, a subsidiary of JMN, was a leading independent provider of programming to radio stations globally. Jones MediaAmerica, a radio, cable TV network, and Internet advertising representation firm in New York, was also a part of the JMN family of companies, along with Jones TM, a music production and distribution company.

In 2008, Jones sold all of the JMN companies to Triton Media Group.

In 1995, Jones created Great American Country, a 24-hour country music video cable TV network that reached 34 million homes when it was sold to E.W. Scripps Company in 2004.

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