Eddy Hartenstein

Eddy W. Hartenstein is an American media executive currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Tribune Publishing, he formerly served as President and CEO of the Tribune Company and publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Broadcom Corporation, City of Hope National Medical Center, SanDisk, and Sirius XM Radio where he serves as lead independent director.^[2][3]

Hartenstein was named publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times in August, 2008.^[3] He was named president and chief executive officer of the Tribune Company in May, 2011, while retaining his roles at the L.A. Times.^[4] When Tribune emerged from bankruptcy in January 2013, Peter Liguori replaced Hartenstein as Tribune Company president and CEO.^[5] When Tribune Publishing was spun off, he became its chairman.

Tribune Company

Eddy W. Hartenstein is Chairman of Tribune Publishing; he was formerly President and CEO of Tribune Company from May, 2011 to January 2013. Hartenstein was named publisher & chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times in August, 2008. In that role oversaw all aspects of the print and digital operations of the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the U.S.^[6][7]

Pre-Tribune Company

Previously, Hartenstein was involved in the satellite television business. As the first executive of DirecTV, Hartenstein served as the company’s chairman and CEO, and was responsible for strategic planning.

Hartenstein earned Bachelor of Science degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona).^[1] He then joined Hughes Aircraft in 1972, and in 1974, earned a Master of Science degree from Caltech. By 1981, Hartenstein had become vice president of Hughes Communications, where he was responsible for expanding Hughes' acquisition and deployment of commercial communications satellites and directed the development and marketing of the original Galaxy satellite fleet.

In 1990, Hartenstein was named president of the new Hughes-owned subsidiary to develop direct-to-home satellite TV service. Hartenstein organized the new business, and formed DirecTV.

Under Hartenstein's direction, DirecTV began commercial service in 1994. He served as DirecTV chairman and CEO from inception to 2004.

During his tenure, Hartenstein also led the regulatory push to change U.S. law to allow local broadcast stations to be rebroadcast into their markets over direct broadcast satellite and, through DirecTV, led the industry into digital television. Hartenstein retired as vice chairman of the DirecTV Group after the company's sale to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. in December 2004.^[6]

Early life

Born in Alhambra, California, like many students of the era, Hartenstein's interest in technology and aerospace/technology were sparked by the space race. Hartenstein earned Bachelor of Science degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematics from Cal Poly Pomona . He then joined Hughes Aircraft in 1972, and in 1974, earned a Master of Science degree in applied mechanics from Caltech.^[3]

Recognition

Hartenstein was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Class of 2001 and into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, Hartenstein received an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for lifetime achievement, and was inducted into the Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame in 2008.^[6]

Further reading

• "Tribune Appoints Hartenstein as Publisher of Los Angeles Times", Tribune Company, August 19, 2008.
• "DirecTV pioneer to take Times reins", Los Angeles Times, August 16, 2008.
• "DirecTV mastermind Eddy Hartenstein named publisher in Los Angeles", Muckety, August 18, 2008.
• "Eddy W. Hartenstein Forbes Profile", Forbes
• "HD Partners Acquisition Corp. Eddy W. Hartenstein Executive Profile", Bloomberg Businessweek

References