Ed Christian

Ed Christian
Born
Edward Kieran Christian

(1944-06-26)June 26, 1944
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, U.S.
DiedAugust 19, 2022(2022-08-19) (aged 78)
Michigan, U.S.
OccupationsBusinessman, radio executive
Years active1958–2022
Spouse
Judith Dellaire
​
(m. 1966)​
Children2

Edward Kieran Christian (June 26, 1944 – August 19, 2022) was an American businessman and radio executive who was the founder and CEO of Saga Communications from 1986 until his death in 2022.

Early life

Christian was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on June 26, 1944, to Dorothy and Ed Christian and was of Icelandic heritage.

Career

In 1958, as a teenager, Christian ran control boards at several FM radio stations in Detroit. He later worked as a radio reporter at several Lansing radio stations, while studying at Michigan State University.

In 1966, after graduating from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree of Arts in Mass Communications, Christian became an account executive for WCAR in Detroit. He later went through job changes and earned a master's degree in management from Central Michigan University.

In 1971, at 26 years old, Christian purchased WCER-FM in Charlotte, Michigan (now licensed to Grand Ledge).

In 1974, Christian was brought in as vice president and general manager to save WNIC (which was in deep financial trouble at the time). He would later join Marvin Josephson with his company Josephson Communications Inc. after the company purchased the station, but kept Christian to help build the company. In 1977, he became the president of the company.

In April 1986, Josephson sold all of his acquired stations (including WNIC) to Christian. Christian later named his company Saga Communications (a tentative name that later became official). Christian stated in a newspaper interview that the name "saga" came from the words "an ongoing adventure" in the Nordic language as his "heritage is Icelandic."

Death

Christian died on August 19, 2022, after a "short illness", he was 78. He was survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The saga of Ed Christian" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. December 28, 1987. p. 87. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Manes, Nick (August 22, 2022). "Grosse Pointe Farms radio executive Ed Christian dies at 78". Crain's Detroit Business. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Edward K. Christian Obituary". The Detroit News. August 30, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Farber, Erica (August 21, 1998). "Publisher's Profile: Ed Christian" (PDF). Radio & Records. p. 112. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ Nelson, Gabe (September 20, 2009). "Ed Christian". Crain's Detroit Business. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Saga Communications CEO Ed Christian Has Died". InsideRadio. August 22, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Josephson sells radio stations to Christian" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. April 21, 1986. p. 36. Retrieved May 19, 2026.