LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - Brandon Tartikoff, the programming whiz who transformed NBC into a television powerhouse, died Wednesday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 48.

Tartikoff developed NBC into the top-rated network in the 1980s with innovative shows such as "Hill Street Blues", "Cheers", "L.A. Law" and "Family Ties".

A spokeswoman at UCLA Medical Center said Tartikoff died of complications resulting from treatment for Hodgkins disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes.

Tartikoff was diagnosed with Hodgkins at the age of 23 but managed to keep his illness a secret from the public because he did not want it to take away from his efforts at NBC.

In January, Tartikoff told Variety columnist Army Archerd he was undergoing treatment for his third recurrence of the disease.

"Back in l981 I had my first recurrence," Tartikoff said. "I was president of NBC, and while I was supported strongly by (NBC head) Grant Tinker, I did not think it wise, in my position, with a network which was not doing very well, to divulge my illness.

"Also, I was not very visible in that high position. So I felt I should keep it to myself.

In a statement, former "Today Show" host Bryant Gumbel, said Tartikoff was a visionary leader.

"Although he made others famous, Brandon was a real TV star," Gumbel said. "His legacy of quality programming speaks for itself. To all who knew Brandon, today's loss is painful."

"Hill Street Blues" creator Steve Bochco said, "I am heartsick over the loss, and (wife) Barbara and I send our deepest condolences to (Tartikoff's widow) Lilly and the family."

Tartikoff became the youngest entertainment president in network history when he took over NBC's programming at age 30 in 1980. He quickly turned the network around with groundbreaking programs like "Cheers", "Golden Girls", "Family Ties" and "Miami Vice".

"I am terribly saddened by Brandon's passing," said "Family Ties" star Michael J. Fox. "It is obvious that were it not for Brandon's belief in and commitment to 'Family Ties', I would not be in this business today.

"He was a brillant man and a wonderful friend. My heart aches for his family."

In a statement, NBC called Tartikoff a "creator, humorist and innovator." The network said it planned to broadcast a special tribute to Tartikoff after Wednesday night's episode of "Law & Order".

"Brandon was immensely successful at everything he put his mind to," said Don Ohlmeyer, president of NBC West Coast. "Life didn't always smile on him, yet Brandon always smiled at life. We will miss him, but he will always be with us."

From 1991 to 1992, Tartikoff was chairman of Paramount Pictures. During his time there the studio released hit movies such as "Wayne's World" and "Patriot Games".

He resigned from Paramount in 1992 to spend more time with his daughter after she was injured in an auto accident.

In March, Tartikoff was named chairman of Greenhouse Networks, which develops original content for America Online Inc., the world's biggest online computer service.

Tartikoff was born on New York state's Long Island on Jan. 13, 1949. He graduated from Yale University in 1970 and became director of promotions at a New Haven. Conn., television station. Two years later, he became director of advertising and promotion at ABC's Chicago affiliate, WLS-TV. In 1976, he joined the ABC network as a program executive and moved to NBC the following year.

In 1993, he founded a movie and production company called Moving Targets Productions. The next year, he sold it to New World Entertainment. In 1996, New World was sold to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Tartikoff then founded H. Beale Co., named after television newsman Howard Beale in the movie "Network".

The New York Times reported Tartikoff underwent "radiological treatment" (no chemo) when he was first diagnosed and never missed a day of work. He was then "declared cured." The article also states "it was less than a decade later, shortly after he took over as president of NBC Entertainment, the disease returned." During this time only the highest NBC executives knew he was undergoing chemo - they were also the only ones who knew he was wearing a wig and had false eyebrows taped to his face. This relapse "came at a time when his early efforts to turn around NBC's programming fortunes were faltering. One lineup of eight new series he put on the schedule failed en masse."

MSNBC has this article on Brandon Tartikoff.

Tartikoff, who lived in Beverly Hills, Calif., is survived by his wife Lilly and two daughters, Calla and Elisabeth.

©1996 Diana L.E.G. Hinnrichs