Obituary: Charlie Jablonski, Industry Leader and Long-Time NBC and NBC Olympics Visionary Passes Away at 69

Obituary: Charlie Jablonski, Industry Leader and Long-Time NBC and NBC Olympics Visionary Passes Away at 69By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 3:56 pm

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Charlie Jablonski, one of the broadcast industry's top technology leaders for more than four decades, passed away unexpectedly this weekend at the age of 69. A stalwart at NBC in a number of roles beginning in 1983 (including 16 years as VP of Engineering and technology, 36 years working with NBC Olympics in various capacities since the 1988 Games in Seoul, and president of SMPTE for the 1999-2000 term, Jablonski was at the center of transitions like the move to HDTV, stereo audio, Surround Sound, digital formats, and advances in transmission, IP and many other areas. He is survived by his wife Ellen Ackerman.

Charlie Jablonski was a key figure in the formative years of HDTV and the industry's transition to digital.

During his 16 years as a staffer at NBC he was Vice President of Engineering and Technology where he had responsibility for Olympics, Owned Stations Operations and Engineering, Strategic Technology, Network Distribution and Engineering, and International Operations. Prior to that he was Managing Director for Olympics Engineering (starting with the 1988 games in Seoul). He continued as an advisor and consultant to NBC Olympics for its production of the Olympics until his passing this weekend. His work resulted in 12 Emmy awards for his work on the Olympics and World Cups, as well as being recognized with an Engineering Emmy for innovation for the 1996 Olympics.

Darryl Jefferson, SVP, engineering & technology, NBC Sports & Olympics, says Charlie was an invaluable member of the NBC Olympic technical team, in recent years with a keen focus on the technical power infrastructure.

Charlie's uncanny technical acumen was not only relied upon by NBC but he was often called upon by the Organzing Committees and the Olympic Host Broadcaster in both the power design phase and execution, says Jefferson. Charlie loved the Olympics, he loved the technical complexity and challenge and he loved the unique camaraderie we feel in the Olympic trenches and he did it always with his wry sense of humor. Walking the hallways of the Milan IBC will be a bit different without the constant presence of Charlie, but his wisdom and influence will no doubt continue to keep the engines running and the troops smiling.

His leadership also extended to industry associations, including the previously mentioned role of president at SMPTE as well as 17 years on the IBC advisory council, from 1999-2016. A Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, he was also past president and Chair Emeritus for the Emmy Awards Committee for Science and Technology for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and also served on the NATAS Award Committee as well as an Advisory Board for School of Engineering for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he and his wife met.

Charlie's years of contribution with the NATAS Technology and Engineering groups have helped usher the Emmys along with every emerging technology and workflow, adds Jefferson. His impact there will be felt across the industry for years to come.

Jablonski also served as an industry consultant to various media, technology and investment funds. He was founder and CEO of Susfugo a startup developing technology for remote visual computing and from 2008-2015 he with Onlive, a cloud-based gaming company in various roles including CEO and VP of Operations). He also served as President and CEO then Executive Chairman of Myrio (2001-2003) a company delivering middleware and systems enabling the telephone industry to deliver consumer quality digital video into the home. And from 1999-2001 he was Chief Operating Officer of Geocast Network Systems, a data broadcasting startup based in Silicon Valley.

SVG will have more information and reaction to Jablonski's passing in the coming days.

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