Cablefax The Magazine - June 2018 - 45

60. LAW & ORDER
Matthew M. Polka
President & CEO
American Cable Association
Years in Cable: 30
Education: BS, Journalism, West
Virginia University; JD, Duquesne
University School of Law
Michael Powell
President & CEO
NCTA
With everything from net neutrality to
broadband infrastructure being the hot
topics of conversation, both Polka and
Powell continue to have their hands
full. ACA recently celebrated its 25th
anniversary, coming together at its
annual Summit in Washington, D.C.,
to discuss how the association can do
its part to assist in closing the digital
divide and ensuring independent
operators are heard. The group also
has continued its fight against Title II
regulations, supporting FCC Chairman
Ajit Pai's planned rollback. Powell has
extended his contract with NCTA for
another three years, solidifying his
place as a leader for the communications
and content industries now and in the future. He's been a thought
leader on issues including the recent data privacy concerns following the
Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal and, of course, net neutrality, where
he's called for Congress to step in with a legislative remedy. Powell, a
former chairman of the FCC, joined the cable trade group in 2011.
Matthew M. Polka
My worst Tweetstorm only ended when ... Actually, it hasn't ended yet,
because I'm still fighting to reform retransmission consent and to end the
#TVRansom! #ReformRetransNOW
61. TANGLED UP IN NEW
Nancy Kanter
EVP, Content & Creative Strategy
Disney Channels Worldwide
In her first full year in this new expanded position, Kanter has been at the head of a number of
revivals coming to Disney's channels, including those that add on to its movie franchises. 2017
saw " Tangled " receiving a series complementing the Rapunzel film while Disney XD saw a blast to
the past with a revamped " DuckTales " series. Disney Junior wasn't left out of the party. Classic Jim
Henson cartoon " Muppet Babies " made its return to TV screens, introducing the hijinks of Kermit,
Miss Piggy and Gonzo to an entirely new generation. ■
Cablefax: The Magazine
June 2018
cablefaxmag.com
45
If you wrote a " Black Mirror " episode, what dark side of technology
would you explore and why? How a seemingly normal, decent person
turns physically into a mean and angry troll right in front of our eyes as
they post political messages on social media.
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave you? The only place success
comes before work is in the dictionary! Thanks, Mom! You were right!
If I ever get elected President, my first executive order will be... No
proposal on my desk that has not at first been vetted with the other side and
then drafted from a bipartisan perspective.
An area where media/ broadband could use improvement? If media
means journalism, then I'd say political journalists should stick to the
facts on social media and avoid the snark or appearance of bias either
way.
It's not helping our democracy.
Your social media platform of choice? Twitter @MATTatACA! Lots of
cable and @penguins tweets! #LetsGoPens!
Bitcoin - pro or con? CON. Seems like funny money too me that's too
volatile to bet on.
What would be the name of the reality show based on your company?
" The Little Association that COULD! "
What product or service could you not live without? Broadband,
brought to me by CABLE!
What's the first thing you read in the morning? ACA's Daily Media
Sweep from our very own Ted Hearn of ACA, and Cablefax.
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging?
The big companies that control all the programming won't give
up their vice grip on the big, expensive bundle until they decide to go
all in on OTT direct to consumers, but in the meantime, consumers will
have already moved on to the video choices they want on our members'
broadband platforms.
Last show I binged not on my network(s): " Mindhunter " on Netflix. But
by the time you publish this, there will be MANY others!
Favorite podcast: Well, there's this new one called " ACA's Cable
Talk " with this host guy I know, but my other favorites are " IMHO
Podcast, " featuring Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Trevor Williams and
Stevhen Brault, and " Penguins Live Post-Game, " (but only after a
Pens' win!).
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Captain
America. He's the guy you want on your team, because of his " super
strength " of character, commitment, dedication, devotion and sacrifice
for others. #TeamCap ■

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