Seeing in “High Definition”

Joe Cohen Brings Expertise to the Ever-Changing World of Sports Broadcasting

Nobody enjoys watching sports more than Joe Cohen. Perhaps that’s one reason he’s so good at making television broadcasts “as close to being there as possible.” Cohen is considered a visionary “genius” in his field and even in this new age of high-definition TV, he continues to stay on the cutting edge of technology in an ever-changing industry. “The great thing about HDTV is that it makes the game come alive right there in your living room,” says Cohen, chairman of the board and CEO of Manhattan-based HTN Communications, a global satellite and fiber optic service provider offering “end to end” transmission solutions and multiple broadcast formats from anywhere to anywhere around the globe. Both L.A. Clippers and L.A. Lakers road games have been available on HDTV in 2007-08 and, thanks to Cohen and HTN (short for Hughes Television Network), 50 L.A. Dodgers games will be available in HDTV on KCAL (Channel 9) this season. The Bay Area is another “hot spot” for HTN, with Giants, Athletics, Sharks and Warriors games all available in hi-def. “The idea is to make HD widespread and expand our markets so that more people will be able to experience this enhanced form of entertainment,” Cohen explains. “In many cases I’m selling a service to customers that I’ve known for many years and that’s particularly rewarding.” Born and raised in New York, Cohen received his bachelor of science degree in economics at Penn in 1968 and earned an MBA at Penn’s Wharton School two years later. He first made inroads in sports in 1970 when he became assistant to the vice president of operations at Madison Square Garden Corporation. One of Cohen’s most enjoyable “assignments” early in his career was keeping Muhammad Ali occupied in the bowels of Madison Square Garden prior to his epic “Fight of the Century” with Joe Frazier. Cohen spent the entire day with the former world heavyweight champion and noted the boxer’s surprisingly calm demeanor. “Ali was very relaxed, very confident,” Cohen recalls. “We played checkers and watched soap operas. I remember thinking, win or lose, he’s going to put on a great show and he certainly did even though he lost. I was also at Ali-Frazier II and that was another great fight.” Another sports moment etched forever in Cohen’s memory is the dramatic seventh game of the 1970 NBA Finals. Inspired by their hobbled center Willis Reed, who left the game after making his first two shots, the New York Knicks beat the Lakers at Madison Square Garden. An avid collector of sports memorabilia, much of which is on display at his home in the Alphabet Streets overlooking Temescal Canyon, Cohen served as President of MSG Network from 1979-85. He also co-founded the USA Network, where he negotiated the first-ever cable broadcast contracts for the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball. When not flying from place to place, Cohen enjoys spending time in the village with his wife Rita. Frequent patrons of many local businesses, they are regulars at several eateries along Swarthmore. Though proud of his own success, Cohen is even prouder of his four daughters–Aren, Marianne, Johanna and Gabriella. Aren, the oldest, got her master’s from New York University while Johanna is a freelance fashion designer. Mary got her master’s degree from Cal Arts and Gabby, the youngest, attends Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City. After leaving MSG, Cohen formed an investment group that purchased HTN from the Garden. He became president and CEO of HTN and, a year later, bought the Z Channel in Los Angeles, adding Dodgers, Angels and Clippers games to the mix. He became President of Spectacor West in 1991–a position he held until 1993 when he was named chairman of the NHL’s L.A. Kings. Cohen returned to MSG in 1995 as executive vice president, where he was responsible for MSGN, Fox Sports Net New York and MSG Radio. He also pioneered the network’s development of HDTV with a knowledge and expertise unrivaled in his industry. Acquiring HTN (Hughes Television Network) for the third time about five years ago kept Cohen’s innovative juices flowing and he enjoys his job, even though it requires frequent travel back and forth across the country. “Working in New York keeps me on my toes and but I always enjoy returning to the Palisades,” admits Cohen, who woke up bright and early on March 15 to go to the Palisades Pony Baseball Association’s pancake breakfast at the Recreation Center. “I moved here three years ago and I can say, having been other places, I really appreciate living in this community.”