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He was born in Tajikistan during World War II to a family of Jewish refugees fleeing persecution. After the war, his family immigrated to Canada, arriving with little more than determination and a will to start over. Growing up in Montreal, Moses knew what it meant to be different—and he turned that experience into a strength.
(Photo credit :John Bauld, Moses Znaimer — background changed; adapted, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)
✨ A Spark Becomes a Career
After studying at McGill and Harvard, Moses entered the world of broadcasting. In the 1970s, he co-founded Citytv in Toronto, a small independent television station.
What set him apart was his vision: TV should look like the streets it served. Diverse. Unpolished. Real.
“I wanted media that reflected Canada as it really was.” — Moses Znaimer
❤️ Building More Than a Channel
Under his leadership, Citytv broke barriers. It featured multicultural programming, gave space to underrepresented voices, and pioneered new formats that made television feel alive and urban.
He went on to found or lead multiple channels, including MuchMusic, Bravo!, CP24, and Space—reshaping Canadian broadcasting and turning Toronto into a media hub.
🌍 Beyond Media
Later in his career, Moses turned his attention to new audiences. He founded ZoomerMedia, dedicated to serving Canada’s growing population of people over 50, showing that innovation isn’t only about the young—it’s about everyone.
His work gave countless Canadians not just entertainment, but representation.
🎯 Why His Story Inspires
Moses Znaimer’s journey shows us that:
- Refugee beginnings can lead to cultural revolutions.
- True entrepreneurship is about seeing the gaps—and filling them.
- Media has the power to shape identity and belonging.
