Posted on November 8, 2017 in ATSC News
From radio builder to media guru, he’s done it all
After more than 44 years in the business, Sandhi Kozsuch, principal, strategic and industry initiatives for Cox Media Group and chairman of the Pearl TV business alliance, has been part of just about everything media-related. Even at a young age remembers being “the kid that hung around the radio station.”
Kozsuch built his own AM/FM radio station growing up, started working in TV at 17, and has since made it his career. The day after graduating from high school, he started as a cameraman and went on to other positions including TV news reporter, director, producer and marketing director as well as various TV station management positions.
“In 1996, I jumped into the internet, but kept one foot in TV,” Kozsuch says. He was part of one of the corporate leadership teams to start Cox Interactive Media, and moved to the NYC area to work for WorldNow in 2000, which Kozsuch said developed and marketed digital technologies and services for media companies, including a new streaming video solution. For the next six years, he worked with many consumer media companies to launch streaming video, digital products, and supporting revenue businesses.
“As I look back on that time,” Kozsuch says, “it was hard to believe I was basing my career on trying to force streaming video through a telephone modem.”
Now Kozsuch is an expert in new technologies, business development, product development, streaming video, over-the-top TV, internet radio, privacy and music licensing, as well as various major industry initiatives. He has served on boards of OMVC, NewsON and Broadcast Traffic Consortium and as committee member on various NAB, IAB, ATSC, health and community organizations.
ATSC 3.0: ‘Highlight of my career’
Kozsuch said he first become aware of ATSC 3.0 through his involvement with the effort to develop and launch Mobile DTV in 2012, and became actively involved in the ATSC beginning in 2014.
“Let me say that my background is business, strategy, business development, general management, product/consumer development, and marketing,” he says. “I only know enough technology to be dangerous. Having the opportunity to listen to, learn from, and support the many exemplary ATSC members designing 3.0 has been a highlight of my career, an honor and privilege.”
He views his role in ATSC as one that can help bring ATSC 3.0 to the marketplace through business and industry skills and relationships. Kozsuch has participated in many specialist and ad hoc groups, both as a contributor and an observer, but has done “mostly observing.”
Kozsuch said ATSC 3.0 brings a platform similar to the internet “which we all now know has changed our lives so amazingly and dramatically in just 20 years.” He’s now vice chair of the 33-3 specialist group. “Thank goodness Madeleine Noland is the chairman,” he jokes.
“Thirty years ago, I thought I was living in the golden days of TV, but I was wrong,” Kozsuch admits. “The quality of TV, both technology and content, are the best ever. ATSC 3.0 will allow us to deliver that quality product to consumers, whether on a TV set or many other digital devices.”
Outside interests galore
Kozsuch’s out-of-work involvements vary as widely as his different job positions over the years. He says his daughter and son are “the joy of my life.”
In his free time, he collects old TVs, radios, and broadcast equipment, including “‘still working RCA 44/77 microphones and a Philco 1950s Predicta black-and-white set” which he said are his favorite collectables. He is also a train fanatic and model railroader, likening himself to Jay Adrick and Dr. Sheldon Cooper.
He’s a self-described concert goer, music aficionado, and Hi-Fi fan, “although I can’t decide what I like better, my vinyl records and Marantz receivers, or my Sonos wireless speakers.”
Whether for work or outside of work, Kozsuch said he travels extensively and enjoys all things related to a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and cooking, as he “is the guy who always hosts the party or dinner.”
In the community, he said he loves giving back through a local mentoring program where he both mentors and trains other mentors.
Posted in ATSC News
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