LOS ANGELES–Few people can claim to be the father of broadcasting. But–Harry Hadigian was–indeed–just that–the father of Armenian-American broadcasting. Hadigian passed away Thursday. He was 71.
Hadigian was born on August 7–1920 in Jerusalem. He moved to the United States in 1948 and settled in Los Angeles.
In 1956 he founded the Happy Harry Armenian Radio Hour on 1460 AM in LA–which has been broadcasting programs on weekends until today.
Hadigian also ventured into television broadcasting. Albeit short-lived–he pioneered the concept of Armenian television–at a time when the Armenian press consisted of only newspapers/
When it began–the radio program was a source of news–music and community issues–bringing the community together–via a two-hour broadcast on weekends.
"The program was his life," said Hadigian’s daughter Siroon–the only relative "Happy Harry" left behind. "He started it–he loved it. That’s what he wanted to do That’s what he lived for," added Siroon.
Harry Hadigian visited the Horizon Television offices Tuesday–to promote an event the radio show was hosting on Saturday.
"I told him that Horizon would be happy to promote the event–since he had had such an immense contribution to Armenian broadcasting," said Ara Khachatourian–the programming director of Horizon TV.
"We owe the concept of Armenian broadcasting to his initiatives," added Khachatourian.
Funeral services will be held Monday–at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church–17231 Sherman Way–Van Nuys. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.