Multichannel News articles from June 2011

Multichannel News archives from June 2011

Viacom to ops: pay up for iPad-video rights: programming glant sues Cablevision, seeks deal with Time Warner Cable.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
June 27, 2011... VIACOM WANTS OPERATORS TO put up or shut off Jersey Shore and its other shows on a tablet--and any Internet-connected video device. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The latest chapter of the industry's fight over streaming video to iPad apps...

Insight auction down to three bidders: final MSOs could still be trumped by Crestview.(NEWS AND ANALYSIS)(Mediacom Communications, Cablevision Systems and WideOpenWest)
June 27, 2011... The months-long auction for Insight Communications is winding down, with the field whittled down to three strategic bidders--Mediacom Communications, Cablevision Systems and WideOpenWest--sources familiar with the auction said last week. ...

Republicans raring for reform of FCC.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Federal Communications Commission)
June 27, 2011... Washington--Republicans have signaled they are serious about reforming the Federal Communications Commission, which appears to be fine with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and its largest member, Comcast. [ILLUSTRATION...

History goes back to 9/11 'archives' for docu look at 'The Days After'.(THROUGH The Wire)
June 27, 2011... New YORK--As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaches, and cable entertainment and news channels schedule special programming, a History documentary that's sure to be in the spotlight got an early screening at a unique...

HGTV's Gorder: 'Design Star' will shine this summer.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... New York -- HGTV had its annual "Wine & Design" cocktail party for media and ad-buyers here last Wednesday, partly to show off new talent like former Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member and event planner Dina Manzo (whose Dina's Party...

Mnet makes inroads into Dallas market, via college station.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Independent networks have a tough go trying to get widespread distribution on a very crowded cable television dial, but upstart Asian American-themed channel Mnet is going to school in an effort to get in front of more eyeballs. The network...

Colbert to NU grads: you'll get the bird in another decade.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Northwestern University)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert--the actor, not the character--gave a June 17 commencement speech at his alma mater, Northwestern University, in Evanston, Ill., that was pithy and, of course, funny. His speech, which dutifully included the...

FCC: rural broadband still needs gov't push: report says speed, price are still barriers.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Federal Communications Commission)
June 27, 2011... WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission has concluded that rural broadband deployment still needs some help from the government, including "major Universal Service Fund reform," as well as the removal of such barriers as speed and...

5 technology innovations changing cable: industry's future was on full display at 2011 Cable Show.
June 27, 2011... Chicago -- When it comes to technical innovation, cable has had a reputation--not altogether unwarranted--of being slow off the mark. But the industry appears to be finally breaking free from the chains that have tied it down. The future of...

Cable subscriber rolls fall off-again: Kagan report details 4% drop in top 15 markets.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Statistical data)
June 27, 2011... Cable subscribers continued to fall in the top 15 U.S. markets in the first quarter, while telco and satellite-TV providers took up the slack, according to a recent report by SNL Kagan. Cable subscribers fell about 4% in the 15 largest...

The 2011 Brand Builder Awards.(SPECIAL REPORT)
June 27, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Great branding is the art of making something unforgettable. Many executives are adept at moving a product or service from the tip of the...

Rainbow's image maker: Ed Carroll guides AMC networks' individual identities.(BRAND BUILDER AWARDS)
June 27, 2011... About six weeks ago, Ed Carroll was in Bloomingdale's considering the idea of buying a certain suit. The eager sales clerk thought he knew the way to push him over the edge, by telling him the cut was very "in" because it was like the suits in...

Davis turns child's play into profits: kid-at-heart Hasbro Studios president wins big with The Hub.(BRAND BUILDER AWARDS)
June 27, 2011... Stephen Davis is the president of Los Angeles-based Hasbro Studios. That means at the age of 49, he gets paid to sit at a conference table with other grown men and women, cull through Hasbro's 1,500 brands and ask, "What should we play with...

Remaking BET with originals: Debra Lee enlivened established leader with signature shows.(BRAND BUILDER AWARDS)(BET Networks )
June 27, 2011... When Debra Lee took over the reins as chairman and CEO of BET Networks six years ago, the then 25-year-old channel had already established itself as the cable destination for African-Americans. But Lee knew the brand could be so much more. At...

Levy scores big for Turner: March Madness helps build TV and digital brands.(BRAND BUILDER AWARDS)(David Levy)(Turner Broadcasting System Inc.)
June 27, 2011... You couldn't get a grander accolade at Turner Broadcasting than to be compared to its swashbuckling founder. That's what happens when you ask Turner CEO Phil Kent about David Levy, Turner's president for ad sales, distribution and sports. ...

DirecTV's 'Premium' Twist to '101': Satellite Provider's Originals Channel Rebrands as Audience Network
June 27, 2011... DirecTV has rebranded its original-programming outlet to The Audience Network from the numerically correct The 101. It's been a second home to such brilliant-but-challenged series as NBC's Friday Night Lights and former FX drama Damages, which...

Necessary Roughness.
June 27, 2011... (USA Network, Wednesday, June 29, 10 p.m.) USA Network takes a run at the sports-drama genre with Necessary Roughness. Unlike the silly 1990s college football-themed film of the same name, USA offers a more dramatic and character-driven take...

Stumping for 'S-SPANs': state public-affairs net chief looks to leverage FCC backing.(RULES)(Federal Communications Commission)
June 27, 2011... WASHINGTON -- Paul Giguere, president of the National Association of Public Affairs Networks (NAPAN), says he is ready to work with the Federal Communications Commission, cable operators, and what he suggests are heretofore uncooperative...

Following the money: what lawmakers hold.(RULES)
June 27, 2011... Washington -- The Center for Responsive Politics has released its online accounting of the most recent (2009) financial disclosure forms for members of Congress. Using that data, Multichannel News has examined the holdings the chairs of the...

At Starz's Cable Show booth (l. to r.): Starz CEO Chris Albrecht (l.).(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At Starz's Cable Show booth (l. to r.): Starz CEO Chris Albrecht (l.), with Connie Nielsen and Kelsey Grammer, stars of the new Starz original series Boss. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

At ESPN's party during the Cubs-Brewers game at the Cable Show in Chicago.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At ESPN's party during the Cubs-Brewers game at the Cable Show in Chicago (l. to r.): Texas basketball coach Rick Barnes, ESPN president George Bodenheimer, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, NFL running back Ricky Williams and baseball hall of...

At WGN America's Wrigley Field rooftop Cable Show party.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At WGN America's Wrigley Field rooftop Cable Show party (l. to r.): Julio Marenghi. EVP and GM, WGN America: Alerts Johnson. VP content acquisition, Time Warner Cable; Eddy Hartenstein, president. Tribune Co.; and Reagan Feeney, VP program...

North Carolina Gov. Beverly Purdue(l.) greets FCC commissioner Mignon Glyburn on the Cable Show.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... North Carolina Gov. Beverly Purdue(l.) greets FCC commissioner Mignon Glyburn on the Cable Show floor as NCTA CEO Michael Powell looks on.

At Ovation's Cable Show reception in Chicago.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At Ovation's Cable Show reception in Chicago (L to r(: Mutt Pofka. ACA: Charles Segarsr Ovation; Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel: Elton Schnetf, Ovation; Melissa Maxfield and David Cohen, Comcast; and David Gray, Time Warner Cable.

The NCTA doled out its Vanguard Awards at the Cable Show.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... The NCTA doled out its Vanguard Awards at the Cable Show (l. to r.): winners Mark Dzuban, SCTE; Sheila Willard, Comcast; Doug Herzog, MTV Networks Entertainment Group; Louis Williamson and Carol Hevey, Time Warner Cable; Mae Douglas, Cox; Tom...

At NAMIC's Annual Awards Breakfast at the Cable Show in Chicago.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At NAMIC's Annual Awards Breakfast at the Cable Show in Chicago (l. to r.): breakfast honorary chair David Cohen, Comcast; Kathy Johnson, president, NAMIC; Michael Powell, NCTA; and NAMIC chair Raymond Gutierrez, CBS.

At NAMIC's annual Awards Breakfast.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At NAMIC's annual Awards Breakfast, held during the Cable Show in Chicago (l. to r.): James G. Brown, ESPN Rise; Michelle Rice, TV One; and Jose Diaz-Balart, Telemundo News.

Honored as Next Generation Leaders at NAMIC's Awards Breakfast.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... Honored as Next Generation Leaders at NAMIC's Awards Breakfast (l. to r.); Howard Lee, TLC; Devin C. Johnson, Digital Works@NBCU; Vincent C. Cordero, Fox Deportes; and Steven Thomas, Comcast.

Some of NAMIC's Luminaries gathered at its Next Generation Awards Breakfast.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... Some of NAMIC's Luminaries gathered at its Next Generation Awards Breakfast (seated, I. to r.): Tamara Franklin, Scripps Networks; Nanette Zabala Bischoff, BET Networks; Melody Tan, MTVN/BETN/Epix; and Janet Uthman, Comcast. Standing (l. to r):...

At the Cable Hall of Fame celebration in Chicago.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At the Cable Hall of Fame celebration in Chicago (l. to r,): Paul Kagan, Jim Gray, Rocco Commisso, Maria Bartiromo, Michael Willner, Jeff Bewkes, Timothy Wirth, Bob Miron, Jerry Kent and Larry Satkowiak. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A&E Network/Bio Channel GM Bob DeBitetto (l.) and Dr. Jill Biden.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... A&E Network/Bio Channel GM Bob DeBitetto (l.) and Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the U.S., before Thursday morning's Cable Show general session.

E!'s Kendra Wilkinson (l.) and Chica the Chicken from Sprout on the red carpet prior to NBC Universal Cable.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... E!'s Kendra Wilkinson (l.) and Chica the Chicken from Sprout on the red carpet prior to NBC Universal Cable Show party.

At Big Ten Network's Cable Show booth.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... At Big Ten Network's Cable Show booth (l. to r.): Mark Silverman, BTN president; Elisabeth Conlisk, VP, communications and university relations; Gus Johnson, Fox Sports/BTN announcer; Roy Seinfeld, VP of ad sales: and Michael Caldron, VP,...

Former Vice President Al Gore (l). now chairman of Current TV.(FREEZE FRAME)
June 27, 2011... Former Vice President Al Gore (l). now chairman of Current TV, and Time Inc. CEO Jeffrey Bewkes at the Cable Hall of fame celebration n Chicago. SUBMISSIONS: Send your most recent press photos, with an ID, contact name and telephone number,...

Bay News 9.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Rod Gramer)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Rod Gramer has joined Bay News 9 in St. Petersburg, Fla., as vice president and general manager of the Bright House Networks-owned local news channel. He comes from KGW-TV in Portland, Ore., where he was executive news director. DID YOU KNOW?...

Bloomberg TV.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Andrew Morse)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Bloomberg Television has named Andrew Morse head of the U.S. channel. He comes from ABC News Digital, where he was executive producer of innovation and integration. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

CNN.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Wilson Surratt at Cable News Network)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Wilson Surratt has joined CNN as executive producer of the network's as-yet-untitled weekday general-news program anchored by Erin Burnett. He comes from WPIX, New York, where he was producer of the 10 p.m. newscast.

Commscope.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Laurie Oswald)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... CommScope has named Laurie Oswald as vice president, North American sales for its Enterprise business unit, based in Richardson, Texas. She had been regional VP of sales, northern U.S., based in Chicago.

HSN.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Arthur Lewis)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Arthur Lewis was named senior vice president of merchandising, digital commerce, at HSN. He comes from HauteLook, where he was private merchandising manager.

Maxxian.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Stephen Sacks)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Maxxian, a Richmond Hill, Ontario-based provider of data for broadband system troubleshooting and analysis, has named Stephen Sacks as vice president, business development.

Media Storm.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Valarie McCubbins)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Media Storm has added Valarie McCubbins as associate media director, digital, based in New York. She comes from MEC, where she was a an associate media director on the AT&T account.

NBCUniversal.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Anand Kini and Liz Mahaffey )(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Anand Kini has joined NBCUniversal as senior vice president, strategic planning and development. He comes from Comcast Cable Communications, where he was senior VP, financial planning and analysis. Also, Liz Mahaffey was elevated to executive...

Newcast.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Jacqueline Fernandez)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Newcast, ZenithOptimedia's branded-entertainment division, has tapped Jacqueline Fernandez as director, branded entertainment. She comes from V-Media, where she was account manager. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Relativity.(PEOPLE)(appointment of David Spieglman at Relativity Media L.L.C.)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... David Spieglman was named president, domestic television and digital distribution and head of Relativity Media's new television sales and digital distribution unit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Time Warner Cable.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Bobby Amirshahi)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Bobby Amirshahi has joined Time Warner Cable as vice president, communications for New York City. He comes from Cox Enterprises, where he was senior director, public affairs. DID YOU KNOW? Bobby Amirshahi was founding president of Cable...

Viamedia.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Jack Olson)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Jack Olson was named vice president, business development at Viamedia. He was a 15-year veteran of Adelphia Communications, among other companies, having served as senior VP, new media.

WE tv.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Stacy Kreisberg)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Stacy Kreisberg was named to the new post of senior vice president, business affairs at WE tv, based in New York. She had been an associate at law firm Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller. ...

Women at NBCU.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Nancy Cohen at NBC Universal Inc.)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Nancy Cohen has joined NBCUniversal's Women at NBCU initiative as director of sales. She had been a senior account executive at Oxygen.

Calendar.(Calendar)
June 27, 2011... For more listings, visit multichannel.com/event. JULY 11-13 Montana Cable Telecommunications Association, Summer Convention, Rock Creek Resort, Red Lodge, Mont. Contact: Tom Glendenning, (406) 431-4754 or tommg3999@ bresnan.net. JULY 13...

No break for cable in Fox station deals: affiliate shuffle unlikely to lead to lower retrans fees.(FINANCE)
June 27, 2011... FOX BROADCASTING SIGNED ON TWO NEW affiliates last week, making good on its promise to seek other distribution avenues in areas where stations won't accept its new retransmission-consent policy. And though this may present an opportunity for...

Crown announces $300M debt offering.(QUICK HITS)(Crown Media Holdings Inc.)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Studio City, Calif. -- Crown Media, parent of the Hallmark Channel, said last week that it intends to commence a private placement of about $300 million in senior notes due 2019, mainly to retire old debt. Crown also said it intends to enter...

Dish CEO exits EchoStar board.(QUICK HITS)(Joseph Clayton)(New Dish Network)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Englewood, Colo. -- New Dish Network CEO Joseph Clayton has resigned from the board of directors of EchoStar, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week. In the filing EchoStar stated that Clayton's decision...

AMC Networks prices debt offering.(QUICK HITS)(American Movie Classics Company L.L.C.)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Bethpage, N.Y. -- AMC Networks, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems, said last Wednesday that it has priced an offering of $700 million in 7.75% senior notes due 2021. The offering is expected to close on June 30, subject to customary closing...

Comcast, Charter bid for midsize biz: ops look to take share from telcos with Ethernet services.(PLATFORMS)
June 27, 2011... ON BUSINESS SERVICES, COMCAST AND CHARTER Communications both want to get thicker around the middle. Both MSOs are trying to win more midsize business customers away from incumbent telephone companies with enhanced Ethernet-based...

Home automation startup iControl secures $50 million.(QUICK HITS)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Palo Alto, Calif. -- Broadband home-automation and security vendor iControl Networks disclosed $50 million in fourth-round funding, bringing its total investment to more than $100 million from investors that include Comcast. The latest round...

Google buys DVR software firm SageTV.(QUICK HITS)(digital video recorder)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Mountain View, Calif. -- Internet giant Google has acquired SageTV, a developer of digital video recorder software for PCs. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition closed June 18. Google declined to comment on future product...

Reviewing the NCTA's technical papers.(TRANSLATION PLEASE)(National Cable and Telecommunications Association)
June 27, 2011... NO SHORTAGE OF DEEP-DIVE IN THIS YEAR'S collection of technical papers, organized by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, with contributions from CableLabs and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers. The two I...

USA racks up 20th quarterly win in a row: heads to primetime crown in Q2 despite TNT surge.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(USA Networks Inc.)
June 27, 2011... USA Network will likely secure its 20th consecutive primetime quarterly ratings win among entertainment-based networks despite a full-court press by TNT. For the period of March 28 to June 19 (a week prior to the official end of the second...

DIY, MLB stage 'House Crashers' crossover.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)
June 27, 2011... Knoxville, Tenn. -- DIY Network and MLB Network are partnering on a special episode of House Crashers where they will renovate a room with a baseball theme for the ultimate Phillies fan. DIY Network host and licensed contractor Josh Temple...

Charter buys 16,000 subs from US cable in mo.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(US Cable of Coastal Texas)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... ST. LOUIS -- Charter Communications said Friday it acquired systems in Missouri from US Cable of Coastal Texas, for an undisclosed sum. Charter, based in St. Louis, has about 5 million residential and business customers in 25 states. The US...

Cable opts for ExpandTV over SelecTV.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... New York -- The cable industry has ditched SelecTV as the consumer-facing brand name for its interactive TV technology, in favor of a new moniker: ExpandTV. The industry-wide brand initiative is led by Canoe Ventures, the Cabletelevision...

MCN buzz meter by Trendrr.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Statistical table)
June 27, 2011... MCN Buzz Meter Trendrr The social-TV charts below rank shows by volume of activity (mentions, tags, links, likes, etc.) across all public profiles on Twitter, Facebook, GetGlue and Miso. Sentiment is a reflection of a positive score based on...

Average pay TV bill is up 3% to $73.35 monthly: Leichtman.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... Multichannel video subscribers in the U.S. pay a mean average of $73.35 per month, up 3% from last year, while the 87% of U.S. households that subscribe to cable, satellite or telco TV is leveling off, according to a consumer survey fielded this...

No home left behind.(COLUMN)
June 27, 2011... As a former Navy Seal, Comcast Cable president Neil Smit could likely snap a man's arm like a bread stick. So I listened intently when I sat down with Smit several weeks ago during a visit to Comcast, and he mentioned one word over and over...

The lost 20%: a hidden network cost.(ACCESS)
June 27, 2011... Cable operators at the Cable Show in Chicago earlier this month saw a vast array of technology and equipment, all promising to deliver some level of financial gain, many through network-capacity upgrades for interactive applications. But network...

Are you ready for more Thursday night football?(VOICES)
June 27, 2011... June 21 Reports of continuing and more promising negotiations to end the NFL lockout now include a proposal for a 16-game Thursday-night primetime slate. Kicking off with the 2012 season, the package would presumably be placed on the open...

MCN's most read.(COMMUNITY)
June 27, 2011... TOP ARTICLES ON MULTICHANNEL.COM, JUNE 16-23 1. Most Urban Latinos Are Bicultural: nuvoTV Survey 2. Cable Center Names Jerry Kent Chairman 3. Insight Auction Down to Three Bidders 4. Nicki Minaj Reigns as Music Choice On-Demand Queen...

Numbers.(COMMUNITY)(Brief article)
June 27, 2011... $2.8 b Projected local mobile ad spending in 2015, up from some $790 million in 2010. SOURCE: BIA/Kelsey's Mobile Local Media Division, June 23

New independents start tap dancing.(THIS WEEK ON broadcastingcable.com)
June 27, 2011... As some stations lose or drop network programming like Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, going it alone is no easy task.

Father figure gets new talk show.(THIS WEEK ON broadcastingcable.com)
June 27, 2011... After authoring his own dilemma, Albert Cutie ministers to talk-show guests with problems.

Tuned in.(COMMUNITY)(Cartoon)
June 27, 2011... INSIGHT AUCTION FINALISTS: 1 MEDIACOM 2 CABLEVISION 3 WOW A STRATEGIC PICK-UP FOR ALL THREE, THOUGH EACH HAS ITS OWN ISSUES HOW INSIGHTFUL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Comcast's Roberts Wields 'Xcalibur TV: at show, CEO demos new guide features, unveils gigabit DOCSIS.(CABLE SHOW 2011)
June 20, 2011... CHICAGO -- Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts unveiled at the Cable Show last week the operator's Web-connected and personalized "Xcalibur" TV guide--which is still in the testing phase--and also rolled a video showing a cable modem...

NCTC CEO: 'I'll be proactive': Rich Fickle, veteran of HITS, has ideas, seeks solutions.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(National Cable Television Cooperative)(Company overview)
June 20, 2011... A FEW WEEKS BEFORE HE OFFICIALly takes the helm on July 5 as the new CEO of the National Cable Television Cooperative, long-time cable executive Richard Fickle said he has a simple approach toward steering the organization to the next level:...

Disney gets on the go with its plans for 'TV+'.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Walt Disney Co. Walt Disney Studios)
June 20, 2011... CHICAGO -- Disney/ABC Television Group is looking to make some video magic for consumers on alternative distribution platforms. The group is currently talking to operators about a subscriber-authenticated offering for broadcast network ABC...

What's on Michael Powell's TV menu? Let's just say he's 'Mad' for dramas and hint he's a 'Modern' 'Gleek'.(THROUGH The Wire)
June 20, 2011... In an expanded sit-down with Multichannel News just before Cable Show 2011, new National Cable & Telecommunications Association president and CEO Michael Powell said this of The Wire: "I've never seen anything more brilliant, ever." Blush,...

Chicago sure drew crowds inside and outside the hotels.(THROUGH The Wire)(Brief article)
June 20, 2011... No one could argue Chicago was one busy town early last week. At times, it got downright demonstrative. Wednesday afternoon, a protest outside the Hyatt Downtown Chicago forced the Cable Show to divert buses from that hotel, where many...

Orduna pals stage neckware salute on Cable Show panel.(THROUGH The Wire)(Arthur Orduna)(Brief article)
June 20, 2011... Chicago -- When Arthur Orduna, the chief technology officer at Canoe Ventures, arrived to moderate a panel at Cable Show 2011 Wednesday titled "Television With a Twist," he discovered that the twist was that all of his panelists--Chris Falkner...

Steve Richey, then & now.(THROUGH The Wire)( 4CableTV)(Brief article)
June 20, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED Chicago -- New Cable TV Pioneer Steven Richey, president of 4CableTV, said he and his pals enjoyed seeing the 40-year-old photo MCN ran in its Pioneers special report last week while attending the induction on Monday....

FCC chief: broadband adoption is 'just not good enough': despite 93% penetration, 25 million in U.S. are still without high-speed service.(CABLE SHOW 2011)
June 20, 2011... WASHINGTON -- Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski said last week that the pace of broadband adoption is too slow and called on cable operators to step up their efforts. For his part, National Cable &...

Cablevision's Bickham: cable can recapture share from satellite TV.(CABLE SHOW 2011)
June 20, 2011... CHICAGO -- There's no reason the cable industry cannot reclaim the approximately 30% share of the pay TV business it lost to DirecTV and Dish Network, Cablevision Systems president of cable and communications John Bickham said on a panel of MSO...

Upfront may pump up volume: overall commitments rise 15% over last year to a record-setting total of $9.4b.(CABLE SHOW 2011)
June 20, 2011... CHICAGO -- After a strong broadcast upfront, the cable market is booming, particularly when it comes to volume. Market sources estimate that the cable portion of the ad-sales upfron auction will be at least 15% higher than last year, bringing...

The vacation is over: Oprah 'All In' on own.(CABLE SHOW 2011)(Oprah Winfrey)(Brief article)
June 20, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHICAGO -- Appearing onstage at the Cable Show here last Thursday (June 16), Oprah Winfrey reassured those in attendance that she's fully committed to her fledging network, OWN, which has had a rocky start since its...

Closing with a bang.(CABLE SHOW 2011)
June 20, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Backstage before the Cable Show's closing general session Thursday (l. to r.): David Zaslav, Discovery Communications; Michael Powell, NCTA; Dr. Jill Biden, "Joining Forces" Initiative; Oprah Winfrey; Brian Roberts,...

Universal Sports Net Lands DirecTV Deal: Multiplatform Pact Starts with Free Preview to 19.4m Subs on Satellite Leader
June 20, 2011... Clearing a huge distribution hurdle, Universal Sports Network has inked a multiyear, multiplatform distribution pact with DirecTV. The network is slated to launch on a free preview basis to all of the No. 1 satellite-TV provider's 19.4...