Cable Execs Offer Predictions for 2013

As has become a tradition at CableFAX, we asked some well-known folks in the industry to gaze into their crystal balls and make some predictions for 2013.

 

From the programming standpoint, Bravo evp, program strategy and production Jerry Leo said to look for more binge marathons of shows. "People watching full seasons of shows off-season—this goes for both reality and scripted programming. Now there's evidence that series are returning to all-time ratings highs, which is being attributed to binge marathon viewing," Leo said.

 

NCTA head Michael Powell played it very safe and made a plug for the trade association's upcoming gathering. "Between June 10-12, 2013, gridlock in Washington will be put on hold as partisan differences are set aside and hundreds of Members of Congress descend on the Cable Show in Washington, DC," he said.

 

FCC commish Ajit Pai played the humor card instead of a tarot card. "The new year will bring a number of proposed transactions that will reshape the communications industry: Comcast and News Corp will merge to become Newscast, Google and Verizon will combine to form Goorizon, AT&T and DirecTV will meld together as AT&TV, and Sprint and DISH Network will join forces as Sprish," he joked.

 

ACA's Matt Polka predictably predicted more blackouts, higher retrans consent and programming fees, but also gave us an Obamacare spinoff: "Someone in Congress will introduce The Affordable Cable Act (ACA), which will require a sports tier and will quickly become known as ESPNcare."