52. The Scrappers

Matt Polka
Title: President/CEO, American Cable Association
Age: 47
Years in Industry: 18
Years left in Industry: “One day at a time, but as long as the industry will have me!”

Jeff Abbas
Title: President/CEO, National Cable Television Cooperative
Age: 44

Why Them? Pressure from ACA, NCTC and their members played a part in then-House Commerce chairman Joe Barton holding a retransmission consent roundtable in July—a development Polka hopes will increase chances for reform next year. Abbas and Polka's rebranding of their annual summer meeting as “The Independent Show” marked the first time the 2 groups combined trade show activities. Under Abbas, meanwhile, NCTC took aim at News Corp, petitioning the FCC for help in negotiating a master deal with Fox Cable for its RSNs. - AM

Matt Polka

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I couldn’t wait to come back into it after leaving it for two years from 1988-90 to become what I thought I would be –‘Perry Mason,’ a litigator.”
Defining career moment: “The gracious opportunity I received to be asked to lead the ACA.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Ben Hooks of Buford Media—vision, leadership and character, personified.”
Biggest cable surprise of 2006: “Audacity of the broadcasters in their retransmission consent demands. Even I was surprised when I saw Sinclair’s demands with Suddenlink. Prediction… The broadcasters’ greed will be their undoing.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Our biggest ACA Washington Summit ever (can’t wait for 2007!), and working with our partners at the NCTC to create ‘The Independent Show,’ a new industry standard for Independent Cable.”
Person (other than my current boss) who I’d most like to work for: “Can’t think of anyone other than our members. They are the best and the salt of the earth.”
In my free time, I like to: “Spend time doing anything with my family, participate in my kids’ activities, watch movies, read, go to a baseball game.”
My most embarrassing cable moment was: “Giving a speech at an NCTC meeting in Vail in 1998 and hyperventilating because of the altitude (“I’m a low lander!). But I recovered for a rousing finish!”
Favorite restaurant: “La Casa and Wings Ole, two great little Mexican food restaurants in Morgantown, WV (where I went to college and where my mother-in-law lives), and Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh—slaw and fries on all sandwiches! Also, any place with great beef barbecue. Two faves, Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City and Rudy’s (slogan: ‘Worst Barbecue in Texas’) outside San Antonio.”
Favorite city: “My home, Pittsburgh and New York and Boston. I love the character of the older cities. Plus, Washington, D.C., my home away from home.”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “Dad? Wanna have a catch?” - “Field of Dreams.” Brings tears to my eyes every time.”
Three things I would take with me to a deserted island: “My family, and my Bible. I only need those two.”
Favorite song: “No answer. But latest CD purchased? ‘Aqua Clara,’ the Peruvian band that plays in front of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. And I bought it on the street in Times Square! They’re a great band! Very good musicianship.”
Favorite TV show: Any “Law & Order,” the original ‘SVU’ or ‘Criminal Intent.’ Best writing and acting in any show, period. My wife and I are hooked.”
Favorite movie: “The Natural”
Favorite sports team: “Pittsburgh Pirates… What can I say? I’m loyal to a fault.”
I wish cable would: “They say you can never go back again, but cable would be well served to remember from back in the ‘old’ days that we’re all in this together.”
Favorite piece of tech: “BlackBerry 8700 – an extension of my hand.”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Anything—tool or otherwise – that requires me to be a ‘handyman.’ I enjoy the challenge, but I need to work on my skills.”
The world would be a better place if: “We all lived the Golden Rule.”

Jeff Abbas

What is your favorite word? “Why? (This little word is at the root of the desire for understanding).”
What is your least favorite word? “'Can't' as in, ‘You can't do that.’ Them's fightin' words, and tend to evoke an response like, ‘Sez you!’or ‘Wanna bet!’”
What turns you on? “Well-tuned, well-blended small group a capella singing.”
What turns you off? “Lack of integrity.”
What sound do you love? “The buzz of fishing line peeling off a spool, especially if the rod is held by one of my kids.”
What sound do you hate? “The high-pitched squeak of metal chafing on metal when someone (who shall remain nameless) fidgets by twisting the metal cap of a metal pen—it's worse than fingernails on a blackboard.”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Musical theater.”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “It would have to be something that is neither physically nor intellectually nor interpersonally challenging—like a toll booth operator. A close second would be any job dealing with ejecta from either end of the alimentary canal—e.g., a hospital orderly, proctologist, or in ancient Roman times, a vomitorium attendant. Being an embalmer would be pretty tough, too.”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “What took you so long?”

Click here to return to the 2006 CFAX 100 List.