Moses Znaimer, born in 1942 in Kulab, Tajikistan, is a prominent Canadian media mogul renowned for his innovative contributions to broadcasting. His parents, Latvian and Polish refugees, fled the turmoil of World War II, eventually settling in Montreal, Canada, in 1948 after a period in a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany.
Znaimer pursued higher education at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Politics. During his time there, he served as President of the McGill Debating Union. He furthered his studies with a Master of Arts in Government from Harvard University.
In the mid-1960s, Znaimer began his broadcasting career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), hosting radio and television programs such as “Cross Country Checkup” and “Take 30,” the latter alongside Adrienne Clarkson. Seeking greater creative freedom, he departed from the CBC to venture into private broadcasting.
In 1972, Znaimer co-founded Citytv in Toronto, pioneering a fresh, youth-oriented approach to television with a casual and contemporary style. This innovative vision led to the creation of MuchMusic in 1984, a 24-hour music video channel co-founded with John Martin. Two years later, in 1986, he launched MusiquePlus, the French-language counterpart based in Montreal.
Throughout the 1990s, Znaimer expanded his media influence by launching several specialty channels, including Bravo! in 1995, Space in 1997, and CablePulse 24 in 1998, Canada’s first 24-hour local news station. His ventures also encompassed Canadian Learning Television, Star!, Drive-In Classics, Fashion Television, BookTelevision, CourtTV Canada, SexTV: The Channel, MuchLOUD, and MuchVibe.
After resigning in 2003, Znaimer re-emerged in 2005 to establish ZoomerMedia, a company dedicated to creating content and services for the 45-plus demographic. Under his leadership, ZoomerMedia has become a multifaceted enterprise, encompassing television, radio, print, and digital platforms.
In recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian media and culture, Znaimer has been honored with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement and has been appointed to the Order of Ontario.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Znaimer is an avid collector of television memorabilia, boasting one of the world’s largest private collections of rare television sets and pop culture artifacts. This passion led to the creation of the MZTV Museum of Television & Archive, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of television.
Moses Znaimer’s visionary approach has indelibly shaped the Canadian media landscape, continually pushing the boundaries of broadcasting and media innovation.