Eddy Hartenstein
Encyclopedia
Eddy W. Hartenstein is an American media executive currently serving as president and CEO of 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 non-executive chairman.
Hartenstein was named publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times in August, 2008. He was named president and chief executive officer of the Tribune Company in May, 2011, while retaining his roles at the L.A. Times.
, 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
.. 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.
. Hartenstein earned Bachelor of Science degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He then joined Hughes Aircraft in 1972, and in 1974, earned a Master of Science degree in applied mechanics from Caltech.
Tribune Company
The Tribune Company is a large American multimedia corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. It is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with ten daily newspapers and commuter tabloids including Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Hartford Courant, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida...
, and publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Broadcom Corporation, City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center, is a private, not-for-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school located in Duarte, California, United States...
, SanDisk
SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops and manufactures data storage solutions in a range of form factors using the flash memory, controller and firmware technologies. It was founded in 1988 by Dr. Eli Harari and Sanjay Mehrotra, non-volatile memory...
, and Sirius XM Radio where he serves as non-executive chairman.
Hartenstein was named publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times in August, 2008. He was named president and chief executive officer of the Tribune Company in May, 2011, while retaining his roles at the L.A. Times.
Tribune Company
Eddy W. Hartenstein is President and CEO of Tribune Company, as of May, 2011. Hartenstein was named publisher & chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times in August, 2008 and continues to serve in these roles in addition to heading Tribune Company. Since that time, he has overseen all aspects of the print and digital operations of the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the U.S. and the growing portfolio of properties that comprise Tribune Company’s largest media group.Pre-Tribune Company
Previously, Hartenstein was involved in the satellite television business. As the founder of DirecTVDirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
, 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
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, or Cal Poly Pomona, is a public university located in Pomona, California, United States...
.. He then joined Hughes Aircraft
Hughes Aircraft
Hughes Aircraft Company was a major American aerospace and defense contractor founded in 1932 by Howard Hughes in Culver City, California as a division of Hughes Tool Company...
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.
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 raceSpace Race
The Space Race was a mid-to-late 20th century competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in space exploration. Between 1957 and 1975, Cold War rivalry between the two nations focused on attaining firsts in space exploration, which were seen as necessary for national...
. Hartenstein earned Bachelor of Science degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He then joined Hughes Aircraft in 1972, and in 1974, earned a Master of Science degree in applied mechanics from Caltech.
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.Further reading
- "Tribune Appoints Hartenstein as Publisher of Los Angeles Times", Tribune CompanyTribune CompanyThe Tribune Company is a large American multimedia corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. It is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with ten daily newspapers and commuter tabloids including Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Hartford Courant, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida...
, August 19, 2008. - "DirecTV pioneer to take Times reins", Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, August 16, 2008. - "DirecTV mastermind Eddy Hartenstein named publisher in Los Angeles", MucketyMucketyMuckety is a web site launched in 2007 by former newspaper journalists.The site uses interactive maps powered by Adobe Flash to show relationships between people, businesses and organizations....
, August 18, 2008. - "Eddy W. Hartenstein Forbes Profile", ForbesForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
- "HD Partners Acquisition Corp. Eddy W. Hartenstein Executive Profile", Bloomberg Businessweek