Dritan Hoxha
Dritan Hoxha | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 October 1968 |
| Died | 23 May 2008 (aged 39) Tirana, Albania |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Occupation(s) | Founder and former CEO of Top Media Group |
| Years active | 1998–2008 |
| Organization | Dritan Hoxha Media Foundation (founded posthumously) |
| Known for | Pioneering figure in Albanian television, innovator in the Albanian media industry |
| Television | Top Channel |
| Spouse | Vjollca Hoxha |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | fm-dritanhoxha |
Dritan Hoxha (Albanian: [dɾiˈtan ˈhɔdʒa]; 16 October 1968 – 23 May 2008) was an Albanian entrepreneur and media mogul, best known as the founder of Top Media, Albania's largest media company.
Hoxha, who started his business career as a coffee importer for Lori Caffe, founded the Top Media group in 1998.[1]
Early life
Dritan Hoxha was born on October 16, 1968, in Kukës,[2] Albania. During his childhood, his family relocated to the Laprakë neighborhood in Tirana, where he spent his formative years. Hoxha began his professional journey as a coffee importer, establishing the Lori Caffe brand in 1995, which marked his initial venture into the business world.[3]
Hoxha's early involvement in commerce and his passion for technology and innovation contributed to his later work in the media industry, where he played a role in the development of private broadcasting in the country.[4]
Media career
Hoxha's ventures into media began with the establishment of Top Albania Radio in 1998, which quickly grew into one of the biggest radio stations in Albania.[5] It branched into television with the founding of the broadcaster Top Channel in 2001 and the pay-TV provider DigitAlb in 2004. The growth of Hoxha's business ventures accelerated between 2004 and 2008, expanding into the news publication Shqip (2006) and the 24/7 news channel Top News (2007), as well as exclusive themed TV channels such as My Music.
In 2008, DigitAlb became the first European Platform with six High Definition Channels and the second in the world. This was a big achievement for Albania. He clashed with Prime Minister Sali Berisha over satellite broadcasting rights. Berisha fined Hoxha's group 13 million euros, but they later reached a compromise.[6]
Top Media
On 14 February 1998, Dritan Hoxha founded the Top Media Group shortly after creating Top Albania Radio. After his death, Hoxha's family took over operations of the media enterprise.[7]
| List | Type | Launch date |
|---|---|---|
| Top Albania Radio | Radio station | 14 February 1998 |
| VGA Studio | Television branding company | 4 May 2000 |
| Top Channel | Television network | 20 December 2001 |
| DigitAlb | Pay-TV provider and production company | 15 July 2004 |
| My Music | Music television channel | 2004 |
| Gazeta Shqip | News publication | 13 March 2006 |
| Top News | News television channel | February 2007 |
| Dritan Hoxha Media Foundation | Media education and charity organization | December 2010 (post-humously) |
Death
On 23 May 2008, at approximately 01:50, Dritan Hoxha crashed his car, a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with the license plate DK 3892 H, into a maple tree in a flower garden along the "Bajram Curri" Boulevard in Tirana, near the Lana River.[8][9] The car split in two and was completely destroyed upon impact.[8] Hoxha initially survived the crash and was extracted from the vehicle a few minutes later.[9] However, he suddenly died en route to the Tirana Military Hospital.[8]
Awards and honors
- In February 2012, the Municipality of Pristina named a street in his honor, recognizing his efforts in unifying Albanians through cross-border media initiatives.[10]
- In November 2012, the city of Vlora posthumously awarded Hoxha the title of Citizen of Honour (Qytetar Nderi) during the 100th anniversary of Albanian independence, for his contributions to Albanian unity and culture through media.[11]
- In September 2021, Marin Barleti University conferred upon him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in recognition of his outstanding achievements in media and communication.[12]
- In December 2023, Hoxha was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Master (Mjeshtër i Madh) by Albanian President Bajram Begaj for his pioneering contributions to Albanian visual media.[13]
See also
References
- ^ "vdes pronari i top channel Dritan Hoxha". Albanian blog (in Italian). 10 June 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Homage to Dritan Hoxha, today is the birthday of the Albanian media genius". CNA.al (in Albanian). 15 October 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Hoxha Family". Media Ownership Monitor Albania. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Visionary People – Dritan Hoxha, the Albanian Jobs Creator". Top Channel. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Top Albania Radio". Media Ownership Monitor. Balkan Investigativdme Reporting Network. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Albanian media magnate dies in car crash Archived 28 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Reuters
- ^ "Top Media". Media Ownership Monitor. Balkan Investigativdme Reporting Network. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "Albanian Media Mogul Dies in Road Accident". Balkan Insight. 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008.
- ^ a b "Vdes Dritan Hoxha, pronar i Top Channel, DigitAlb dhe Lori mCaffe". Molla e Kuqe (in Albanian). 23 May 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Prishtina street named after Top Channel's founder Dritan Hoxha". Top Channel.
- ^ "Vlora honours Dritan Hoxha". Top Channel.
- ^ "Doctor Honoris Causa for Dritan Hoxha". Marin Barleti University.
- ^ "Founder of Top Media Dritan Hoxha is honored with the title of Grand Master by President Begaj". Vox News.