Ted Rogers believed in the power and potential of new technologies to educate, entertain and improve our lives. As Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Communications Inc. (“RCI”), a media and telecommunications company that serves millions of Canadians from coast to coast and employs more than 26,000 people.
Rogers Communications began in 1960 with an $85,000 loan and the vision and relentless determination of a twenty-something young man who saw potential in a new technology called FM radio. While still studying law, Mr. Rogers bought CHFI and, at the time, only 5 percent of Toronto radio listeners had an FM radio. Today, CHFI remains one of Canada’s most popular radio stations. Ted followed that by recognizing and investing in groundbreaking new technologies: cable television, wireless telephony, high-speed Internet service, multicultural TV programming, digital television, personal video recorders (PVRs) and more.
Rogers earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in 1956, and his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1961. He was called to the Bar of Ontario on April 13, 1962. In addition to his formal education, Mr. Rogers was awarded several honourary doctorates from notable Canadian and American universities.
In October 1990 Mr. Rogers was made an Officer of The Order of Canada and in April 1994 was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
