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Joe Wallach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Wallach
Born (1923-09-10) September 10, 1923 (age 100)
New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Businessman, TV Executive
SpouseDoreen Toll

Joseph Wallach (born September 10, 1923) is an American businessman, television broadcasting executive and author. In 1985, Wallach, along with Saul Steinberg and Henry Silverman of Reliance Capital Group L. P., founded Telemundo,[1][2] which is today the second-largest Spanish-language television network in the United States.[3]

Early career

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Wallach attended Boston University for post graduate studies in business after receiving a BBA from the City College of New York. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry in World War II Europe.[4] Wallach's career in broadcasting began in 1960 as business manager and then general manager of San Diego based television station KOGO-TV, owned by Time-Life Broadcast Corporation from 1962 to 1970.[5] In 1965, Wallach moved to Brazil to oversee another Time-Life venture, TV Globo in Rio de Janeiro.[2] Under Wallach's guidance, by 1980, TV Globo grew to dominate the Brazilian market and became the 4th largest network in the world, with 31 affiliates and programming provided to 80 countries.[3] Wallach became a Brazilian citizen in 1971.[3][6]

Telemundo

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In 1985, Wallach obtained an option to purchase television channel 52 in Los Angeles with a plan to make the station a Spanish language channel. He secured Reliance as major stock shareholder and purchased channel 52 through Estrella Communications.[7] As general manager, he engaged Paul Niedermeyer as assistant manager and Frank Cruz as director of public affairs. KVEA was launched in November, 1985, and in six months captured 40% of the Los Angeles Spanish television market.[8] In 1986, Reliance purchased television channels in various other markets to create a Spanish language network. Wallach and his team, named it "Telemundo".[1][3] Wallach managed the Telemundo network until his departure in March, 1987.[1][2][9][10]

Post-Telemundo

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After leaving Telemundo in 1987, Wallach was a consultant for the Italian network, Tele Monte Carlo owned by TV Globo. In 1991, Wallach founded GloboSat, the satellite broadcasting service based in Rio de Janeiro.[11] As president of GloboSat he launched and operated the first pay television, 4-channel DBS broadcast system covering Brazil.[12]

Personal life

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In 1990, Wallach married Doreen Toll in Bel Air, California.[13]

He turned 100 on September 10, 2023.[14]

Published works

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Wallach is the author of the autobiographical book, My Chapter in TV Globo (Meu Capítulo na TV Globo), Portuguese-language, published by Top Books, Rio de Janeiro, 2011.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Biografia de Joe Wallach". Pro-TV. MUSEU DA TELEVISÃO BRASILEIRA. Retrieved February 23, 2019. Em 1980, Wallach deixou a Rede Globo, voltou aos Estados Unidos, ficou cinco anos longe de televisão, mas em 1985 fundou a Telemundo, em Los Angeles, emissora dirigida á comunidade latina, dos Estados Unidos.
  2. ^ a b c Brooks, Nancy Rivera (March 17, 1987). "Joe Wallach Leaves Telemundo". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 (Business).
  3. ^ a b c d Sinclair, John (1998). Latin American Television: A Global View. Oxford University Press. pp. 67–102. ISBN 978-0198159292.
  4. ^ U.S. Army (2 October 1946). "Honorable Discharge". Separation Qualification Record.
  5. ^ Gutierrez, Felix (1 June 1986). "Spanish Media in L.A. on Upswing". Times Mirror Co. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  6. ^ Tardaguila, Cristina (25 Aug 2011). "Quinze anos na alta cupula da TV Globo". Brazil: Noticias Financieras.
  7. ^ Gutierrez, Felix (20 July 1986). "Spanish- Language Media Battle for Eyes and Ears of Los Angeles Hispanics". Associated Press.
  8. ^ Nielson Media Research Report, May, 1986
  9. ^ United States Congressional Record, April 9, 1987.
  10. ^ California State Senate Record, Resolution 263, April 20, 1987, by Hon. Art Torres
  11. ^ Variety, Daily (28 December 1992). "Wallach GloboSat topper and part owner". Variety Ltd. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  12. ^ Ferreira, Adriana (30 April 1992). "GloboSat investe em novos programas". Quinta-fiera.
  13. ^ Weissburd, Charles (19 June 1990). "Registrar-Recorder". County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder. 19–444530 (10246).
  14. ^ "Joe Wallach: KCRW Guest DJ set | Morning Becomes Eclectic". KCRW. 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  15. ^ Wallach, Joe (2011). Meu Capítulo na TV Globo (First ed.). Rio de Janeiro: Topbooks Editora e Distribuidora de Livros Ltda.