December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 69. HD Be Free: Mac Budill

Mac Budill
Title: EVP, Programming, Cablevision Systems Corp
Last Year: #51
Age: 45
Education: Yale, BA; Harvard, MBA

Why Him? The 17-year Cablevision vet is regarded as one of cable’s smartest (look at that Ivy League education), but also one of its most personable and funny. Yet facing him on the other side of a negotiating table is not a picnic. Still Budill and his team have forged a slew of VOD, SVOD, HD deals, one reason why more than 90% of Cablevision’s 3mln+ subs take digital, giving it the best penetration rate in the biz.

H-Free: Budill and team forged deals that allow Cablevision to offer 65 free HD channels, a major asset vs the competition.

Mac Language: Budill’s work has let Cablevision launch some dozen international in-language packages (Spanish, Russian, Filipino), a must in NY’s melting pot.

Year Ahead:
More programming for one of cable’s best-run MSOs.

Restaurant: Walter’s

Drink of Choice: Zima

Music: Magnetic Fields

Unnecessary Luxury I Like Most: Velcro and duct tape (tie)

Last Book Read: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

In ’09 I Resolve To: Teach my 6th grade basketball team to play man defense

Favorite Interactive Content: Webkinz World

Sports Team: Green Bay Packers

SA

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