Hal Golden, a leading executive in the TV syndication business and a president of ABC Films in the 1960s, died June 30 at his home in Capistrano Beach, Calif. He was 86.
Golden encouraged Phil Donahue to move his show from Dayton, Ohio, to Chicago, where it became a huge hit, and he launched Aaron Spelling’s Love Boat into U.S. syndication. He was a guiding force behind the creation of the National Association of Television Program Executives and a founding member of the Association of Program Distributors,
A native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Golden began his career in 1953 with a 12-year stint at MCA Universal Television, where he started as a sales executive in the Chicago office and ascended to executive vp. He headed ABC Films from 1965-70, then left to create The World Series of Tennis under the banner of Golden TV. He jumped back into syndication with the newly formed Worldvision Enterprises and headed worldwide sales from 1980-85.
Survivors include children Richard, Margery and Donald and grandchildren Allie and Emily. Contributions in his name can be made to Hospice of Saddleback Valley in San Clemente, Calif.
