Saul Shapiro

Saul Taylor Shapiro is President of the Metropolitan Television Alliance, LLC (MTVA). The MTVA was formed by the New York area television broadcast stations shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Those attacks completely destroyed New York’s analog and digital over-the-air television broadcast infrastructure.

The MTVA’s mission has been to coordinate the recovery and the initial rebuilding of that infrastructure at the Empire State Building, and to locate and develop a permanent facility to replace those lost in 2001. This effort included the relocation of stations to temporary facilities in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the design and construction of analog and digital facilities at the Empire State Building to meet ongoing broadcast needs, and the design and construction of the permanent facilities planned for the Freedom Tower. In addition, the MTVA is investigating methods to augment the over-the-air digital coverage that is presently available from the Empire State Building facility.

Shapiro's return to broadcast technology comes after four years as Vice President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation [http://www.nycedc.com/] , covering the Media and Telecommunications sectors. He was responsible for attracting investment and expansion of domestic and international companies to NYC, and to serve as an advocate for companies and industries in their dealings with city government.

Mr. Shapiro joined the EDC with experience stretching across both electronic media and telecommunications services and technology, including Sony, the FCC, ABC Television Network and the Internet.

At Sony Corporation of America he served as Vice President of Broadband Services, responsible for new business opportunities based on emerging technologies and standards, with particular focus on the strategic integration of Sony’s US e-business initiatives.

Previously, Saul held the position of COO at Gist Communications [http://www.gist.com] , then the leading independent online provider of TV listings and editorial. He helped redirect the company’s efforts to developing on-screen interactive applications for a variety of set-top platforms. Shapiro joined Gist from ABC Television where, as Vice President, Broadcast Technology, he was responsible for developing strategic technical initiatives and the network’s transition to digital television broadcast technology.

Mr. Shapiro came to ABC after serving as Assistant Bureau Chief for Technology Policy in the Mass Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission. While at the FCC, Mr. Shapiro led a team of engineers, economists and lawyers in drafting Rulemakings and Orders for the introduction of digital television to the US broadcast market. He also acted as policy advisor to the Chairman on technological developments and trends in digital media, as well as topics related to the convergence of communications technologies.

Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Shapiro was Director of New Business Development with Sony Corporation of America responsible for identifying new opportunities for Sony’s Television Business Group in the emerging digital era. A materials science engineering graduate of Brown University, Mr. Shapiro has also received an SM in mechanical engineering from MIT and an SM in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management as a Leaders for Manufacturing Fellow. Both of these degrees from MIT were earned in 1991. [http://alum.mit.edu] Prior to entering the broadcast television business, he was a microelectronics process development engineer for a variety of firms in the Boston area.