L.A. Times publisher: The kid from Alhambra

It's not the "local ownership" some L.A. city fathers have wanted, but the new Los Angeles Times publisher is definitely a local boy. The Times' Martin Zimmerman reports that Eddy Hartenstein grew up in Alhambra and has been an "avid reader of The Times since his boyhood." Hartenstein is considered "the father of the satellite TV industry" but has kept a low profile:

Although well known in the industry (he's a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement Emmy last year), Hartenstein isn't exactly a household name. The Wikipedia page for Alhambra High School doesn't even list him on the roster of notable alums, which includes model Cheryl Tiegs and Hillary Rodham Clinton's mother.

Deadline Hollywood Daily blogger Nikki Finke says the hire "seems a smart move" but wonders why he's taking such a daunting job:

OK, so why Hartenstein for LA Times publisher? I'm told it's because he understands subscription-based product and new media distribution after taking DirecTV from zero to 12.5 million subscribers despite very stiff competition from cable.

Reuters notes: "Media reports say interested buyers [for The Times] include music mogul David Geffen, but sources inside Tribune and others have indicated that Zell likely will hang on to the paper."

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Business Wire

Comments

[NObama]

Does Sam have to trash The Times totally before he finally cashes out?

Why not fire the staff, go all AP, sell the building, and then cash out the name?

Oh, he's already doing that.

[brady westwater]

At least Hartentein probably knows that the 400 block of South Western is in Koreatown and not in Windsor Square, a fact that escaped the writer, editor and copy editor of an article up on the website right now. Sam Zell is the least of the paper's problems when it comes to local coverage.

[Ruby Jackson]

Good luck.