March 11, 2002

THOMAS F. LEAHY, FORMER PRESIDENT
OF THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK, DIES AT 64

Thomas F. Leahy, a former President of the CBS Television Network, died Friday, March 8, at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. He had been under treatment for cancer. Mr. Leahy was 64.

Mr. Leahy was President of Studio Lane Productions, Inc., a program consultant for Cablevision Systems Corp. and, in conjunction with British America Entertainment, a producer of television films for basic cable (USA Network), Premium Cable (Showtime) and TNT. He was also Chairman of the Board of the Broadway Association

Mr. Leahy served as President of the Theatre Development Fund and as a member of its Executive Committee from November 1992 through January 1998, and served on its board of directors through November 2000. He had also been Dean of the School of Journalism, Media and Information Studies, at Queens College.

Mr. Leahy retired from CBS in June 1992 after 30 years with the Company. He joined CBS 1962, serving in numerous sales positions with increasing responsibilities. In 1971, he was named Vice President, Sales, CBS Television Stations. He was named Vice President and General Manager, WCBS-TV New York, in 1973 and President, CBS Television Stations Division, in 1977.

In February 1981, he was appointed Senior Vice President, CBS/Broadcast Group, with responsibility for the CBS Television Stations Division, CBS Radio Division, CBS Cable/CBG Enterprises and the Group's new ventures. In November 1981, he became Executive Vice President, CBS/Broadcast Group, responsible for the CBS Entertainment and the CBS Television Network divisions.

Mr. Leahy was President, CBS Television Network, from 1986 through 1989, and in 1990 was named President of a new CBS Marketing Division, with responsibilities for CBS Television Network Sales, CBS Television Network Marketing, CBS Sports Marketing, CBS Research, CBS Broadcast International and CBS Merchandising and Promotion.

In April 1990, he became founding chairman of the Network Television Association (NTA) for a term concluding in June 1992. He was a member of the Board of Partnership of the Trump Organization. A Past President of the International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, he had served on the Board of Directors of the International Radio and Television Society.

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Among his many interests, he was founding director of the Youth Suicide National Center, Washington, D.C.; a director of Just Say No International, Oakland, Cal.; a former director of the Foundation of Independent Higher Education; a graduate director and former member of the Campaigns Review committee as well as of the Executive Committee of The Advertising Council; a director of the American Advertising Federation; director and secretary-treasurer of the Advertising Educational Foundation, Inc.; a member of the Mayor's Midtown Citizens Committee of New York City, a member of the Board of the Partnership For A Drug-Free America, and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

He was a graduate of Manhattan College (B.S., electrical engineering).

Among his many awards were New York City's Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding leadership in the broadcast and business community; an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from St. John's University; the American Jewish Committee's National Distinguished Achievement in Communications Award, and the Joseph E. Connor Memorial Award of Phi Alpha Tau Fraternity of Emerson College, Boston, in recognition of outstanding achievements in speech and communicative arts. In 1995, the Broadway Association presented him with the Golden Scroll Award for his tireless efforts in behalf of New York City.

Mr. Leahy is survived by his wife, Patti, of Bronxville, N.Y.; his daughters Allison, of Boston, and Patti Ann, Tom Jr., Kirstin and Caitlen, all of Bronxville, and grandchildren Gaige, Pierson, Tate and Thomas III.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Broxville, N.Y., on Tuesday, March 12 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Melanoma Foundation, 3914 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite A132, San Diego, Calif.

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CBS Contacts: Michael G. Silver 212/975-3161 mgsilver@cbs.com