Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014 - 18

22 | Head in the Clouds
Dave Shull
Title: SVP, Programming, DISH Network
(pictured, below)
Years in Cable: 10
Education: BA, Philosophy, Harvard; MBA,
University of Oxford
Dan York
Title: Chief Content Officer, DirecTV
(pictured to Oprah's left, waving)
Years in Cable: Decades
Education: Masters, MSU
Is it possible these two fierce satellite competitors
could become the best of friends? Merger
talk was growing louder this spring after DISH
chief Charlie Ergen reportedly approached
DirecTV topper Mike White with deal-making on
his mind. Meanwhile, Shull and York have been
keeping plenty busy on their respective home
fronts. Shull continues to bolster DISH's coffers
on both content and distribution fronts, including
a groundbreaking OTT deal with Disney. York has
made some tough decisions of late regarding
DirecTV's programming slate. The contract
dispute with Weather Channel kept the forecaster
off the distributor's air for three months, but in
the end DirecTV got it back on the system with
concessions, including a promise from the net to
cut down on reality content. These days, DirecTV
sees a sunny forecast for Big Knockout Boxing.
The sport, just sanctioned in Nevada, will be the
focus of several DirecTV events this year.
York
John, Paul, George or Ringo? John, with Paul
gaining as I age
23 | Content
Everywhere
Greg Rigdon
Title: EVP, Content Acquisition,
Comcast Cable
Education: BA, Orberlin College;
MA in Russian Studies,
Princeton University
Years in Cable: 8
24 | The Hit Man
David Nevins
Title: President of Entertainment,
Showtime Networks
Years in Cable: 4
Education: BA, Amherst College
Using a hands-on approach to development,
acquisition and oversight all of Showtime's
programming, Nevins has spearheaded the
launch of eight new series over the past two
years. Many are huge network hits-think
" Shameless, " " Homeland " and " Ray Donovan. "
Beyond the series' critical acclaim,
numbers are up. For instance, " Homeland "
was the net's first series to land 7 million
viewers a week, a milestone for the premium
18
cablefaxmag.com
Best Advice: " Every wall
is a door. " - Ralph Waldo
Emerson
Rigdon's strategic vision
and skill in striking
programming agreements
have helped build a strong
content portfolio, but
his ability to negotiate
My favorite newfound hobby: Yoga
My ideal celebrity partner on Dancing with
the Stars: Sherri York
Oscars or Grammys? Oscars
Favorite Restaurant: Sugarfish lunch with my
family
Alec Baldwin... NY or LA? 30 Rock Jack
Donaghy
Desert island album? Geraldine and Ricky
The last time I had a good laugh: Reading a
recent Regional Sports Network proposal
If someone forced me to cut the cord and
only watch 3 over-the-top shows, they
would be: Torturing me ■
long-term TV Everywhere
distribution agreements
with the likes of Disney
and Fox has shaped the
way cable subscribers will
be watching programs for
years to come.
I watch the majority of
programming on this
channel. Expect to see more A-list talent
very soon on the network, with the likes of
Josh Hartnett starring in new series " Penny
Dreadful. " We also hope that the promising
planned series " Happyish " will go on in some
form despite the tragic death of star Phillip
Seymour Hoffman.
TV show I'd most like to have a cameo in?
" Episodes "
Frank Underwood or Nick Brody? Brody, may
he rest in peace.
Twitter or Instagram? Twitter
Desert island album? Brian Eno & John Cale
Favorite TV show as a kid: " Happy Days " and
" Brady Bunch " reruns
Dish I can make and that would impress a
celebrity chef: Any cocktail ■
April 2014
Cablefax: The Magazine
device: Big screen HDTV
The biggest innovation in
cable over the last year:
X1 Platform
Oscars or Grammys?
Oscars
Favorite Restaurant:
Demon Dogs
Beach or mountains?
Mountains ■
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Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014

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