‘Star-maker’ of Channel Nine Sam Chisholm dies aged 78

Former Nine Network chief executive Sam Chisholm, nick named the ‘Star Maker’, has died peacefully at the age of 78, after a short illness.

The media trailblazer – whose colourful career spanned over four decades in Australia and the UK – rose to become one of the most successful and sometimes controversial figures on the TV landscape.  

He died at the Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga on Monday night with his wife and daughter by his side.

“Sam Chisholm was CEO at Nine in two stints ... first in the halcyon television days of the 80s & early 90s and then briefly in 2005,” a Nine spokesman said.

“In that first role he was always regarded as a pugnacious go-getter. The so-called ‘Star Maker’ at Nine with a big chequebook and loud opinions.

“Nicknamed a legend in his own lunchtime for his lavish lifestyle at work and play - and the man who popularised the phrase, ‘Losers have meetings, but winners have parties’.

“Always controversial and a larger than life figure, he left Nine for Britain and Murdoch’s BSkyB and returned 10 years later to a very different and challenging world in Australian television.

“Nine recognises the unique role he played with the Network and for Australian television, and sends their condolences to the extended family and friends on his passing today, in particular his wife Sue and daughter Caroline.”

Chisholm emigrated to Australia in his early 20s from New Zealand and began his working life as a travelling salesman. He then moved to media sales and from that into management.

He was appointed the chief executive and managing director of Nine Network in 1975 at the age of 35.

Under his guidance, Channel Nine enjoyed a position of ratings and programme dominance in Australian households.

In 2004 he was inducted into Australian television’s Hall of Fame and awarded a Gold Logie.

He was appointed an Order of Australia in 2013 for his service to medical research and health organisations – which included a role as a director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.  

Well-wishers took to social media to remember Chisholm, including his fellow Nine colleagues: