Cable Pioneer Miron Dies at 89
Robert Miron—best known as Bob to the industry—passed away Wednesday at the age of 89. His cable legacy spans the operations and programming businesses, having served as Chairman and CEO of Advance/Newhouse Communications and later Chairman of Discovery Communications.
“He helped build companies, forge partnerships, mentor executives and champion innovations that permanently changed how Americans received news, information and entertainment,” the family wrote in his obituary. His children Nomi Bergman and Steve Miron have spent years in the cable industry, currently serving as President of Advance/Newhouse and CEO of the company, respectively.
While he retired in 2010 after a 50-year career in cable and broadcasting, Miron’s presence was felt long after. In addition to advising behind-the-scenes, Miron was frequently seen at industry events such as the Cable Hall of Fame. He was a committed philanthropist, particularly for his beloved Syracuse University. Earlier this week, he was at the grand opening of the Sunny B Wound Care Center at Crouse Hospital, a program made possible by a donation from his daughter and son-in-law, Nomi and Neal Bergman.
The family memorial quotes Brian Roberts, Chairman and Co-CEO of Comcast, describing Miron as “the consummate gentleman” and “the moral conscience for an entire industry for over five decades.”
John Malone, Chairman Emeritus of Liberty Media, first met Miron through the NCTA board. The two would become partners on some of the industry’s biggest transactions, including helping cable entrepreneur John Hendricks get Discovery off the ground and later the creation of Charter Communications.
“Bob was a great partner,” Malone wrote. “He brought wisdom, common sense to every issue… It has been a great honor to be his partner, and his friend.”
David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, whom Bob helped recruit to lead Discovery, called him “one of the great entrepreneurs of his generation” whose leadership and insight “changed my life for the better in so many ways.”
Unassuming and highly intelligent, Miron was seen as the industry’s sage counselor. “We all looked up to him for thoughtful insights delivered with humor, modesty and an update on Syracuse basketball. He was one of a kind,” recalled former NCTA CEO and Weather Channel Chairman Decker Anstrom.
Long before cable was a mature industry, Miron was helping shape its foundations. He championed the microwave system that allowed HBO to develop in the pre-satellite era, and later pushed the industry to support C-SPAN, believing cable had an obligation to serve the public interest. That spirit carried through to initiatives like Cable in the Classroom and the Walter Kaitz Foundation, where he helped direct the industry’s resources toward education and diversity.
A Life Trustee, Miron gave generously to Syracuse University for more than six decades. Miron Victory Court, an indoor pedestrian concourse and event space at Syracuse, honors Miron and his wife Diane.
He graduated from Syracuse in 1959 and served briefly in the U.S. Army before joining Newhouse, where he helped guide its expansion into cable. Eventually he forged a partnership between Advance/Newhouse and Time Warner Cable that continues through Advance’s ownership today in Charter.
Miron married the love of his life, Diane Goldblatt Miron, in 1962. In his Bresnan Ethics acceptance speech, Miron described Diane as “his confidante, always making him look good.” He is survived by her and their three children, Nomi Bergman, Steve Miron and Lisa Sidel. A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at Temple Adath Yeshurun in Syracuse, NY on Sunday, August 2 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Miron Cardiac Care Center c/o Crouse Health Foundation in memory of Bob Miron, continuing his lifelong commitment to strengthening the health and well-being of the Syracuse community.