Cablefax The Magazine - August 2021 - 32

OPERATIONS LEADERS
40. SPORTS SPRINT
David Gandler | Co-founder & CEO
fuboTV
Years in Media & Broadband: 20+
Education: BA, Boston University
FuboTV went into 2020 with viewers consuming 50% sports and
50% news and entertainment programming. That could have easily
spelled trouble when sports shut down at the start of the COVID-19
pandemic lockdown, but fuboTV still came out with higher consumption
than ever before, thanks in part to the mix of programming
options Gandler helped build. In April 2020, the streamer closed a
merger with FaceBank and saw growth across multiple areas in
2Q20, including ad revenue, which had dropped in 1Q20. Under
Gandler's leadership, the virtual MVPD is now on its way to delivering
on a promise it made throughout 2020-to develop its own
sportsbook after acquiring sports betting startup Vigtory. The online
sports betting experience is expected to launch in 4Q, pending
regulatory approvals.
MY PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OVER
THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS... Taking fuboTV public via an IPO-
and during a pandemic.
NUMBER OF TIMES FLOWN IN THE PAST YEAR? Four
times; and enjoyed every moment of it.
WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER
STREAMING LOOK LIKE? Although consumers have never
had more choices, juggling an ever-expanding breadth of services will
become costly and fractured. It is our view that consumers who care
about sports and live TV will find greater value in aggregation and
bundling where they can enjoy the best content in a seamless, curated
experience, personalized to their needs and at an affordable price.
WHAT SORT OF BROADBAND WILL THE AVERAGE U.S.
HOUSEHOLD NEED IN FIVE YEARS? At least 500 Mbps. ■
41. STEADY STREAMING
Andrew McCollum | CEO
Philo
Years in Media & Broadband:
10
Education: AB, EdM, Harvard
My personal superpower
is: Pancake art-I make
designs for my kids with
pancake batter
With Facebook co-founder McCollum
at the helm, Philo stood
out as a valuable alternative
to traditional pay TV during the
pandemic lockdown. It gained
more visibility through deals
with Best Buy and Google
Fiber. Usage grew to four hours
per day and the streaming
TV bundle grew subscriptions
300%. He also strengthened the
company's established reputa32
tion
as a " low-cost, high-value " service despite having to institute a
five dollar per month price raise due to higher programming costs in
May 2021. McCollum allowed existing customers to keep their $20/
month plan, but instituted a higher capacity for DVR storage on the
new plan.
WHAT'S A HABIT YOU'RE KEEPING POST-PANDEMIC?
Pushing more folks to use video instead of phone calls by default.
IF YOU COULD HOST A CLUBHOUSE CHAT WITH
ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Mark Twain.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC FOREVER CHANGED
PROGRAMMING? It hasn't.
MY PREDICTION FOR THE FUTURE OF REGIONAL
SPORTS NETWORKS: A la carte and direct-to-consumer.
WHAT SHOW/MOVIE HASN'T BEEN REBOOTED THAT
YOU WISH WOULD BE? " National Treasure "
YOUR PANDEMIC THEME SONG? " Cough Syrup " by Young
the Giant.
STATUS OF YOUR SOURDOUGH BREAD STARTER?
Going strong.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
SUMMER? Returning to the office. ■
cablefaxmag.com
August 2021
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Cablefax The Magazine - August 2021

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