Harry Ray Bannister is notable for his work as a manager of WWJ radio and television, Detroit,Michigan, and as Vice President for Station Relations for the National Broadcasting Company. His career ranged from the early 1930's through the 1950's and involved him in many important events and developments in the broadcasting history of that period. At NBC, Bannister played a significant role as an intermediary between NBC and its station affiliates at a time when radio was being rapidly eclipsed by television.
Bannister was born in New York City on April 30, 1894. He spent nearly two years in France in World War I and after discharge from the Army in 1919 began travelling sales work. For almost ten years Bannister sold paints, pop corn machines, automotive parts, and drugs and pharmaceuticals in various parts of the country. In the early 1930's he briefly served as an advertising sales representative with the Detroit radio stations WMBC and WJR before joining the Detroit News station WWJ. He became general sales manager in 1934 and a general station manager in 1940. During his time at WWJ, Bannister established a reputation for concern with quality in programming and advertising; he consistently sought establishment of broadcasting standards. He realized early the potential of television broadcasting and favored its employment for educational purposes. Active in industry affairs throughout his career, Bannister helped to write the first NAB Television Code, 1951, and testified before various congressional committees investigating the broadcasting industry. Bannister's activities among NBC affiliates led to his appointment as Vice President for Station Relations in 1952. His understanding of affiliate concerns proved useful to this position, and he became known for championing live programming and discouraging reliance on ratings. In 1961 Bannister became a part-time consultant for NBC.
Bannister published many articles in newspapers and broadcasting periodicals and spoke before a variety of organizations and groups. He died on April 27, 1967. Bannister's anecdotal autobiography, The Education of a Broadcaster, was published in 1965.
