71. Soccer… Finally!

David Sternberg
Title: EVP, emerging nets, Fox Cable Networks
Age: 38
Years in Industry: 9
Years Left in Industry: “Four score and seven…”
Last year: NR

Why Him? Fuel TV, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espanol are all doing well under the guidance of Sternberg, but it’s the soccer net that leads the triumvirate in scoring. Sternberg spearheaded for FSC in July a 5-year rights deal for select MLS telecasts and US men’s and women’s national team matches. The net also announced in Nov a plan to introduce next season a 3-hour programming block surrounding its Sat MLS games, including live pre- and post-game, and halftime analysis. Sternberg’s strikes have helped FSC’s sub base grow more than 25% over the last 2 years to 25 million. Now that’s scoring. - CH

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I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I flew to Madrid to negotiate a sports programming deal on my third day at Fox.”
Defining career moment: “The launch of Fuel TV in July 2003.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “My colleague Laureen Ong—she has done a magnificent job of growing National Geographic Channel without coarsening or betraying the brand.”
In my free time, I like to: “Play tennis with my kids.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Fox Soccer Channel’s new rights deal with Major League Soccer.”
My most embarrassing cable moment was: “Telling my boss I skipped commercials when watching NFL games.”
I wish cable would: “Improve its value proposition for Latino customers.”
Favorite restaurant: Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles
Favorite city: Buenos Aires
Favorite TV show: “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Favorite movie: “Glengarry Glen Ross”
Favorite sports team: Oakland Athletics
I wish cable would: “Improve its value proposition for Latino customers.”
Favorite piece of tech: Satellite radio
Least favorite piece of tech: Cell phone
The world would be a better place if: “More people agreed to disagree.”

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