Citizen Hearst: An American Experience Special

In the early 20th century, William Randolph Hearst built a vast media empire that included 28 newspapers, a movie studio, a syndicated wire service, radio stations, and 13 magazines. Nearly one in four American families subscribed to Hearst publications, making him influential enough to have Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Winston Churchill writing for him. As the first advocate of what's now known as "synergy," Hearst wielded his media power to achieve unprecedented political influence before running for office himself. Hearst served two terms in Congress before winning the Democratic presidential nomination in 1904. Perhaps most famously, he inspired Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and constructed a lavish estate in San Simeon. He passed away at age 88 in 1951, having significantly transformed America's media landscape and political climate. The two-part, four-hour film is based on David Nasaw's critically acclaimed biography of Hearst titled "The Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst."