Cablefax The Magazine - December 2010 - 30

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGIONAL OPERATORS AND
PROGRAMMERS OFTEN IS IGNORED WHEN POWER LISTS
ARE ASSEMBLED. THIS THIRD ANNUAL RANKED LIST IS OUR
ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THAT OVERSIGHT.
1. Randy Freer
President, Fox Regional
Cable Sports Networks
Topping our list for the third
time, Freer oversees the
country's largest ownedand-operated
regional sports
group. His cable portfolio's
19 networks collectively own
telecast rights to more than
half of all MLB, NBA, and NHL
teams, as well as major college
conferences such as the
Pac-10 and Big 12.
3. Tracy Dolgin
CEO, YES Network
cable's good guys, Hopkins
is passionate about " helping
college students develop
a strategy that better
positions them to secure
a job in their desired field
upon graduation. I received
great advice from a lot of
people when I was starting
out... so, I've always
tried to help students as
they prepare to enter the
workforce. "
2. Jon Litner
President, Comcast
Sports Group
Litner's empire now spreads
to 45mln homes. The former
Punt, Pass & Kick winner
cites differences between
national and regional nets.
" Regional sports networks
deliver a more passionate
and engaged audience
[than national networks]
and considerable revenue to
leagues, " Litner says.
30
Ray Hopkins
COO, YES Network
YES men Dolgin and
Hopkins piloted the nation's
most-watched regional net
for the 5th consecutive year.
This despite the Yankees'
relatively early postseason
exit. With another
acquisition-filled offseason
predicted for the Bronx
Bombers, YES looks poised
for a strong '11. Dolgin's
concerns? " Cord-cutting, "
he says. " While sports-
regional sports networks in
particular-is the antidote
for cord-cutting, it will
still be a threat as long
as content owners sell
or give away their digital
content to customers who
are not authenticated, who
are not paying for that
content through their video
provider. " Known as one of
cablefaxmag.com
of experience, Casey is a board
member of Back on My Feet, a
non-profit that helps the homeless
become self-sufficient
through running.
5. Mark Silverman
President, Big Ten Network
Silverman's Big Ten Network
carries 350 live events in HD
to 75mln households. The
17-year cable vet argues the
line between regional and
national networks is artificial.
4. Carol Hevey
EVP, East Region,
Time Warner Cable
Arguably the top-ranking
female in cable operations,
Hevey is the author of a
fantastic success story.
Beginning as a secretary,
the 28-year cable veteran
oversees 17K employees
who serve more than 4mln
residential video and commercial,
high-speed data,
digital phone and wireless
customers, representing
nearly half the company's
business. A terrific speaker,
Hevey founded and chairs
the MSO's Diversity Council
and Women's Leadership
Council.
The major hurdle is strategizing
" how to best let people know
that we're a national network,
not a regional one, with cable
and satellite subscribers in
all 50 states and Canada and
more subscribers outside the
region than inside, " he says.
" This is something our national
advertisers, such as Verizon,
State Farm, Sprint, General Mills
and Discover, recognize. "
Bill Connors
President, East Division,
Comcast Cable
The popular 28-year cable
exec says, " My passion can be
summed up by the legendary
poet Ricky Bobby-'If you ain't
first, you're last.' I love working
around our Comcasters who
are passionate every day about
gaining market share, innovating,
and serving our customers
better. It's in every Comcaster's
DNA, which is why we win the
important battles! "
6. Kevin Casey
President, North Central Div,
Comcast
The former interim President of
Engineering Operations, Casey
and his team serve nearly
7mln triple-play customers. A
bona fide leader with 25 years
december 2010
John Ridall
President, Southern Div,
Comcast
What trend could possibly
trouble a 32-year cable pro
like Ridall? " I worry some
about things like the size and
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