Joseph J. Collins, a longtime cable television executive who helped transform the industry into the foundation of the modern Internet economy, died April 2 at his home in Weepapaug, Rhode Island. He was 81 years old.
Throughout his decades-long career, Collins played a key role in rebuilding cable from a television distribution system to an infrastructure that can support broadband and digital services. He has held senior management positions at major media and communications companies including HBO, Time Warner Cable, and Comcast.
In 1984, Collins was named president of HBO and helped guide the network during its growth years. He then returned to American Television and Communications, eventually becoming chairman and CEO. Following the 1992 merger with Time Warner Cable, Collins led the combined company and oversaw expansions and technology upgrades that contributed to the development of high-speed cable Internet.
He then led AOL Time Warner Interactive Video, driving early efforts to integrate television and Internet-based services. His work helped predict the on-demand and streaming models that would emerge in the years ahead.
Born July 27, 1944 in Troy, New York, Collins graduated from Brown University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also served in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant and receiving the Vietnam Combat Action Medal.
Collins is the founder and chairman of C-SPAN, served as chairman of CableLabs, and served on the boards of directors of several companies, including Turner Broadcasting Systems. He was inducted into the Cable Center Hall of Fame in 2001.
He is survived by his wife, four children, and 11 grandchildren.
