D. Thomas Burns dies at 86

D. Thomas Burns, who, in the capacity as leader from the CBS Television Stations Division within the seventies assisted launch "The Muppet Show," died of cardiac arrest on Thursday, February. 9, in Cohasset, Mass. He was 86. Throughout the seventies, local stations searched for syndicated programming to fill the access hour beginning at 7 p.m. since the Primetime Access Rule limited network programming to 3 hrs from 7-11 p.m. Burns saw potential in Jim Henson's puppet variety show and introduced the idea to CBS chairman William Paley. CBS backed "The Muppet Show," that was offered in distribution, running from 1976-81. Burns began in broadcasting being an assistant research director at ABC Tv and radio and held positions at CBS, Harrington Righter & Parsons and ABC in the past from the television industry. After becoming gm of WLS-TV in Chicago from 1963-66, Burns rejoined CBS in 1967 as Vice president of broadcasting for that NY Yankees once the network possessed they. In 1968, he was named Vice president and assistant towards the leader, CBS Broadcast Group. Burns grew to become the leader from the CBS Television Stations Division in 1970. He was Vice president of technical assets in the CBS Broadcast Group from 1977-79 and Vice president of recent endeavors from 1979-85. David Thomas Burns was created in Chicago. Throughout World war 2, he offered like a navigator bombardier within the U.S. Military Air Forces like a second lieutenant. Burns receiving his undergraduate degree from Loyola U. in Chicago in 1950 and did publish-graduate work on the U. of Chicago. He received a Physician of Humane Letters in Communications from St. John's U. in 1974. He offered around the board of company directors of organizations such as the Worldwide Radio & Television Society, the Advertising Council and also the Television Bureau. Younger crowd offered around the board of advisors to St. John's U. Communications School. Burns is made it by his wife, Miriam three sons and 2 kids and numerous grandchildren. A funeral mass is going to be celebrated on Thursday, February. 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony Chapel, Cohasset, Mass. To have an online guestbook, visit Mcnamara-sparrell.com Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com