David Leckie, who led the Nine and Seven networks to ratings victory has died at the age of 70.

Most recently, he was the CEO of Seven West Media until June 2012. He had been brought in as an executive director at Seven Group Holdings.

Throughout the 1990s, Leckie cemented Channel Nine as Australia’s number one rated network. He knew TV better than any other Australian executive.

THE LAST ROCK STAR CEO

Leckie died at his farm in Robertson, in NSW’s Southern Highlands.

“With immense sadness we advise the passing of our adored and much-loved husband and father, David Leckie. He was surrounded by his loving family,” read a statement from Leckie’s wife Skye, and sons Tim, Harry and Ben.

Leckie had been frail for the past year and had been in palliative care before his death due to unspecified health issues.

As recently as last year, he was brought back to the Seven network to mentor key executives following a management shakeup.

He is survived by his wife Sky and their children.

Leckie’s television career begin in 1977 in sales at the Nine Network in GTV, Melbourne.

In 1982, he was appointed Nine Network Sales Director at TCN in Sydney by legendary television boss Sam Chisholm.

In 2012 he was replaced by Tim Worner, but continued as a Director and consultant until 2016.

TRIBUTES FOR A LEGEND

Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, said: “I had a close association and friendship with David for more than 20 years and finally enticed him to Seven in 2003, when he started the difficult process in turning around the network’s fortunes.

“David achieved the turnaround quickly and effectively, building a winning team, financial and programming model, which delivered us leadership of the TV industry for many years.

Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, James Warburton, said: “David was a true legend of the Australian media industry and a loved part of the Seven family. Everyone at Seven will miss him enormously.

“Inspiring, engaging, loud, passionate and famously difficult at times, he was an extraordinary salesperson and an intuitive TV programmer. Without a doubt he was the best TV executive this country has ever seen and an important influence and mentor for so many people and careers. He was once labelled the last of the rock star CEOs and I’d say that was a pretty good description.

“David was the reason I got into television and was a great friend. My heartfelt sympathies go to Skye and their boys. There will only ever be one David Leckie. It was a great privilege to have known and worked with him.”

Mike Sneesby, CEO of Nine, said: “David Leckie was a giant of television. He contributed enormously to the success we all shared with him here at Nine, his instincts and leadership heralded the golden era of Australian television.

“He adored his family and so many of us stayed in touch as a friend even after he left. He set the culture of excellence at Nine that still exists in our DNA today and we thank him for that.”

Due to COVID restrictions in Sydney he will be farewelled at a small, private funeral. The service will be live streamed.