Allbritton Communications Founder Joe Allbritton Dies, 87

Bought Broadcast Properties in 1974; Company Now Owns Eight ABC-Affiliated TV Stations
By: John Eggerton Dec 12 2012 - 6:41pm
Bought Broadcast Properties in 1974; Company Now Owns Eight ABC-Affiliated TV Stations

Allbritton Communications founder Joe Allbritton died Wednesday, according to WJLA Washington. He was 87 years old.

The company owns eight ABC-affiliated TV stations, including WJLA, along with co-owned cable news channel, News Channel 8, and political newspaper/news site, Politico.

Allbritton, who made his fortune in banking, bought the Washington Star and its broadcast properties in 1974. He sold the newspaper in 1978 -- it eventually folded -- but expanded his broadcast holdings. He was born in D'lo, Miss., and raised in Houston. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Allbritton is survived by his wife, Barbara; son Robert, who launched Politico; and two grandchildren.

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