Broadcasting & Cable biz editor Higgins dies

John Higgins, the business editor of industry publication Broadcasting & Cable, died of a heart attack Monday, according to a story on its web site. He was 45.

Higgins, who joined B&C in 1997 after working at Multichannel News, was known as a talented and tough-as-nails reporter. He was renowned in the media industry he covered for his knowledge of the business and for his tenacity.

The story stated, “‘I thought he was a terrific journalist,’ said former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley, one of Washington’s mostly highly respected and influential attorneys. ‘There was a certain edge to his writing that was appropriate. He got right to the point. He was a keen analyst and I will really miss reading his material. I’m shocked and saddened by his passing.’

“Max Robins, B&C editor in chief, said that one of the attractions of joining B&C was Higgins’ reputation. His stories and scoops often bested not only the trade competition but major papers such as The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. ‘John Higgins was the heart and soul’ of Broadcasting & Cable, said Robins. “It was a privilege working with him.'”

Read more here. Some of his colleagues and competitors have posted comments here. TV Week’s John Ross has posted a column about Higgins here.