TV to New Media; Now Everyone's A Producer

With over 30 years of experience working in broadcasting, cable and new media, Mr. Bolter will share his perspective on the evolution of television production to the launch of LATV, the first bilingual multicast network. Having worked on shows from Dinah Shore to Seinfeld to E! News with Ryan Seacrest and Networks from FOX to E! the discussion will range from anecdotes on show production to the latest distribution technologies and what opportunities may lie ahead.

Mr. Bolter is the current President and Chief Operating Officer for LATV Networks, the first and only 24/7 bilingual multi-cast broadcast television network. LATV is a music, lifestyle, pop culture channel targeting young Latino viewers. LATV is currently available in the USA and Puerto Rico over the air on digital channels and on cable. Before LATV Mr. Bolter served 3 years as Sr. Vice President of Network and Production Operations for E! Networks overseeing E! Entertainment Television, style Network and E! International. Along with overseeing the daily production of over 30 original TV series and managing the Network Operations center, he led the group that developed an innovative distribution strategy that integrated the use of the Internet as a file transfer protocol to a cost effective file based International multi-channel play out and delivery system. This innovative delivery system has made E! Networks the most advanced International Broadcaster in the world.

Prior to joining E! Mr. Bolter had beenw orking on a number of high definition feature films while concurrently consulting on the start up of new cable networks. With his unique and un-paralleled experience he acted as Head of Production, Operations, and Engineering for Hubbard Media Group in the design and preparation for soon to be launched Satellite and Cable Network titled Reelz Channel. His responsibilities included the design and development of a totally integrated solution to deliver localized content from creation through distribution. He also acted as Executive in Charge of Production for the Reelz Channel signature pilot program titled "Dailies" along with 5 other original programs.

Before consulting Mr. Bolter held the position of Senior Vice President of Production, Operations and Engineering for USA Broadcasting. He was part of the initial team responsible for implementing Barry Diller's innovative station group rollout strategy. Mr. Bolter's duties included oversight of program development, all program production, station management adn the build-out of all technical facilities. During his tenure he designed and developed a unique broadcasting concept built around a centralized digital control and digital distribution facility called "Stationworks". The facility was the first nationwide "central casting" operation going live on-line November 1st, 1999. Mr. Bolter was also responsible for the development and production of "Strip Poker" a series that aired on USA Network and for co-creating City Desk a 1/2 hour weekly series produced in conjunction with the Miami Herald.

Mr. Bolter headed In-House Production Group, where he was responsible for the start-up of CNET including the selection of CNET's production studios, and hiring of producers and production personnel. He also served as producer for the company's pilot programs.

In addition, Mr. Bolter has served as producer or executive in charge of production for numerous programs distributed on each of the four major networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX) and through syndication, with credits on over 50 different shows, including the pilot for the hit show Seinfeld.

He began his career as a lighting director and stage manager for Golden West Videotape, where he lit network sitcoms such as Ladies Man for CBS and syndicated programs like "The Mike Douglas Entertainment Hour". During that same time he stage-managed "Dinah", "Hour Magazine" and the sitcom "A New Kind of Family" for ABC. In 1982, he joined the MetroTape division of Metromedia, Inc. as Director of Operations and remained there through its conversion to Fox Broadcasting following Metromedia's sale to Fox, Inc. In 1988 he was promoted to Executive in Charge of Production fo Fox Broadcasting Company. He left Fox in 1989 to join Castle Rock Entertainmenwhere he produced The Ed Begly Jr. Show pilot for CBS and was production executive on 7 other pilots. His credits also include Totally Hidden Video for FOX, Miracles and other Mysteries for ABC, Confessions of Crime for Lifetime and When all else fails for NBC.

Mr. Bolter received his MFA in Theatre Arts from the University of Southern California and his BA from California State University, Fresno.

by Howard Bolter
B.A. Theatre Arts 1976
President and Chief Operating Officer
LATV Networks