December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 51. We’re Flexible: Mike Hopkins

Mike Hopkins
Title: President, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Fox Cable Networks
Last Year: #21
Age: 40 or so
Ed: Long Beach State, BS; UCLA, Anderson School, MBA

Why Him? A key player in Fox Cable Nets since its inception in ’97, Hopkins accepted full responsibility for managing affiliate sales and marketing in April ’07 when longtime network distribution head Lindsay Gardner departed. Beyond boosting collaborations with sister companies Fox Interactive Media, Fox Digital Entertainment and Fox Mobile Entertainment, Hopkins’ top priority has been finalizing Big Ten Network distribution deals with the last few holdouts. When Comcast signed its Big Ten deal, Hopkins said the agreement "showed everyone that we’re flexible." Hopkins also landed a carriage pact with Verizon for the telco’s basic launches in all FiOS markets.

Worth Watching: Fox carriage likely will increase as the networks keep rolling out HD, VOD and broadband content.

Year Ahead:
With Fox Sports in the lead, all of the Fox Cable Nets can anticipate greater revenue.

Favorite Food: Ice cream

Fave Show Not on Fox: Dexter

Last Book Read: Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris

Best Business Advice Received: Keep your head down and work hard

Traits I Most Admire in People: Honesty and integrity

KF

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