Edmund A. Chester
Encyclopedia
Edmund Albert Chester, Sr. - (June 22, 1897 – October 14, 1973) - was a senior Vice President and executive at the CBS
radio
and television
networks during the 1940s. He also served as a highly respected journalist and Bureau Chief for Latin America at Associated Press
and Vice President at La Prensa Asociada in the 1930s.
with the developing nations of South America
and Central America
for the CBS
network from 1940 through 1949. As Director of Short Wave Broadcasts for CBS
he supervised the creation of this vast shortwave service which was widely known throughout South America as the Network of the Americas (La Cadena de las Americas).
He assisted William S. Paley
and high level diplomats from South America
in the development of the intricate broadcast standards which would serve as the foundations for this vital information link during the turbulent World War II
era. He also collaborated with his counterparts in Europe
during the post World War II era in order to coordinate the creation of new technical broadcast standards and the expansion of the broadcast network which linked the two continents.
His endeavors were not limited to the technical development of CBS
' worldwide broadcasting capabilities. As CBS
' Director of Latin American Relations Mr. Chester worked in concert with the Department of State, the United States Office for Inter-American Affairs
(OCIAA) and Voice of America
while supervising the development of news and cultural proramming for live broadcasts to North America and Latin America from the CBS broadcast studios in New York City
. These imaginative cultural initiatives served to foster benevolent diplomatic relations and high level cultural exchanges throughout South America during the 1940s.
Popular programs such as Viva America
http://radiogoldindex.com/cgi-local/p2.cgi?ProgramName=Viva+America showcased professional musical talent of the highest caliber in live concert and were supervised by the Department of State and the Office of Inter-American Affairs during the tenure of Nelson Rockefeller
.
He presented prominent musicians from both North America and South America for extended appearances on these broadcasts. Included among these artists were: Alfredo Antonini
(American
orchestral conductor); Juan Arvizu (Mexican
"Tenor with the Silken Voice")http://es.wikipedia.org//wiki/Bolero; Nestor Chayres (Mexican
tenor aka "El Gitano De Mexico")http://www.bassanonline.com/1946-Nestor-Chayres-photo,i180061834647,c108730.html; Eva Garza (Mexican
songstress); Terig Tucci
(Argentine
composer/arranger); John Serry, Sr.
(American
concert accordionist/composer) and members of the CBS Pan American Orchestra.
In later years (1948), Mr. Chester emerged as the Director of News, Special Events and Sports for the CBS
Television Network
. During this period he assumed a central role in coordinating the integration of the vast CBS radio network with the evolving television division.
In the course of supervising CBS
' historic live television coverage of the proceedings of the United Nations General Assembly
in November 1949, Mr. Chester demonstrated an enduring commitment to the lofty professional standards for excellence in broadcasting which served as the hallmark of the entire CBS
network for decades to come.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
networks during the 1940s. He also served as a highly respected journalist and Bureau Chief for Latin America at Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and Vice President at La Prensa Asociada in the 1930s.
Biography
During the course of a journalistic career which ranged over two decades, he assumed a central role in the development of a viable international radio transmission network linking the United States of AmericaUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the developing nations of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
for the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network from 1940 through 1949. As Director of Short Wave Broadcasts for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
he supervised the creation of this vast shortwave service which was widely known throughout South America as the Network of the Americas (La Cadena de las Americas).
He assisted William S. Paley
William S. Paley
William S. Paley was the chief executive who built Columbia Broadcasting System from a small radio network into one of the foremost radio and television network operations in the United States.-Early life:...
and high level diplomats from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
in the development of the intricate broadcast standards which would serve as the foundations for this vital information link during the turbulent World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
era. He also collaborated with his counterparts in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the post World War II era in order to coordinate the creation of new technical broadcast standards and the expansion of the broadcast network which linked the two continents.
His endeavors were not limited to the technical development of CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' worldwide broadcasting capabilities. As CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' Director of Latin American Relations Mr. Chester worked in concert with the Department of State, the United States Office for Inter-American Affairs
Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs
The Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs was a United States agency promoting inter-American cooperation during the 1940s, especially in commercial and economic areas...
(OCIAA) and Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
while supervising the development of news and cultural proramming for live broadcasts to North America and Latin America from the CBS broadcast studios in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. These imaginative cultural initiatives served to foster benevolent diplomatic relations and high level cultural exchanges throughout South America during the 1940s.
Popular programs such as Viva America
Viva América
Viva América was an American musical radio program which was broadcast live over the CBS radio network and to South America over the La Cadena de las Americas during the 1940s...
http://radiogoldindex.com/cgi-local/p2.cgi?ProgramName=Viva+America showcased professional musical talent of the highest caliber in live concert and were supervised by the Department of State and the Office of Inter-American Affairs during the tenure of Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
.
He presented prominent musicians from both North America and South America for extended appearances on these broadcasts. Included among these artists were: Alfredo Antonini
Alfredo Antonini
Alfredo Antonini was a leading Italian/American symphony conductor and composer who was active on the international concert stage as well as on the CBS radio and television networks from the 1930s through the 1960s...
(American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
orchestral conductor); Juan Arvizu (Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
"Tenor with the Silken Voice")http://es.wikipedia.org//wiki/Bolero; Nestor Chayres (Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
tenor aka "El Gitano De Mexico")http://www.bassanonline.com/1946-Nestor-Chayres-photo,i180061834647,c108730.html; Eva Garza (Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
songstress); Terig Tucci
Terig Tucci
Terig Tucci was an Argentine composer, violinist, pianist, and mandolinist.Tucci was born in Buenos Aires, in 1897. His first composition, Cariños de Madre was performed for a zarzuela at the Avenida Theatre, in 1917...
(Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
composer/arranger); John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr. was an accomplished concert accordionist virtuoso, arranger, composer, organist and educator who performed on the CBS Radio and CBS Television networks...
(American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
concert accordionist/composer) and members of the CBS Pan American Orchestra.
In later years (1948), Mr. Chester emerged as the Director of News, Special Events and Sports for the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Television Network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
. During this period he assumed a central role in coordinating the integration of the vast CBS radio network with the evolving television division.
In the course of supervising CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' historic live television coverage of the proceedings of the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
in November 1949, Mr. Chester demonstrated an enduring commitment to the lofty professional standards for excellence in broadcasting which served as the hallmark of the entire CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network for decades to come.