Gerald Slater

Gerald Slater was an American television executive.

He was best known as one of the four founders of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Slater began his television career in 1961 as the head usher for The Jackie Gleason Show on CBS and rose through the ranks to become head of production for CBS News. Slater could often be seen sitting behind Walter Cronkite as he anchored CBS Evening News.

While at PBS in 1974, Slater was key in the network's move to air the Senate Watergate hearings in prime time, which helped build its national profile. He would continue helping PBS's development while working for WETA in Washington from 1975-89.

Slater also was an Emmy-nominated producer, sharing an Outstanding Program Achievement – Special Events nomination for 1979's Baryshnikov at the White House.

He left public television after two decades to launch a consulting business.

Slater died April 24, 2020, in Washington, D.C. He was 86.