Don Lee

Don Lee (December 6, 1880 – March 4, 1934) was an American entrepreneur whose influence reshaped the early broadcasting landscape of California. Born in San Jose, California, Lee began his career as an automobile dealer, quickly expanding his interests into the nascent world of radio after acquiring several stations in the 1920s. By leveraging his business acumen, he transformed these modest outlets into a regional network, Don Lee Broadcasting, which later became a cornerstone of West Coast media. Lee’s bold vision extended beyond radio; he pioneered the development of California’s first television stations, investing heavily in experimental equipment and securing valuable transmission licenses that helped lay the groundwork for modern TV broadcasting. His partnership with the American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T) and later collaborations with major studios demonstrated his knack for bridging technology and entertainment, earning him a reputation as a pioneer of the medium. Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, Lee’s enterprises not only delivered news and entertainment to millions of listeners but also cultivated a new generation of talent, fostering a culture of innovation that persisted long after his untimely death at the age of 53. Though his life was cut short, the legacy of Don Lee Broadcasting endured, eventually evolving into the Don Lee Network that merged with the Mutual Broadcasting System, cementing his place in the annals of American media history.