Champion Television Group

Champion Television Group is the predecessory television company of the American Broadcast Network. Champion Television Group was founded in 1943 by President Lee W.B. Winston. Carl H. Winston was Champion's Chief Operations Officer (COO), and the company's Chief Executive Officer was Donald D. Winston. Camile P.J. Doral was Champion's secretary/treasurer. The headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington in the same building owned by Sabana American Broadcast Holdings, Champion's successor. Throughout its time, Champion opened over 300 television stations and owned over five television brands, those of which still remain under the SABH banner, others closing or bought by other companies. It was Lee Winston's vision to bring entertainment to the home viewers. It was an enormous task undertaken by many of Champion's staff. Champion's prominent live performances included The Jack Laverty Show, of which today, is survived by the nighttime talk show The Late Show with Vince Laverty, hosted by Jack Laverty's grandson. Lee Winston passed away in 1963 and passed the ownership to Don Winston, who then rebranded Champion Television Group as the American Broadcast Network.