December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 24. Tea Drinker: Kyle McSlarrow

Kyle McSlarrow
Title: Pres/CEO, NCTA
Age: 49
Education: BA, Cornell; JD, U VA

Why Him? Chairman Julius Genachowski has begun marinating at the FCC, yet it remains unclear whether he’s cable’s friend or foe. Better than Kevin Martin, sure, but his net neutrality stance? Scary. Reading and interpreting the tea leaves is McSlarrow, who also must contend with an unpredictable Congress and now agencies like the NTIA and RUS as they dole out billions in broadband stimulus money. Despite McSlarrow’s Republican roots, he has shown great bipartisan abilities. Cable is lucky to have him.

Worth Watching: The ultimate fate of net neutrality will come down to back-room lobbying and negotiations at the FCC and in Congress.

Year Ahead:

Last year we said things couldn’t get any worse than Martin’s FCC. Still, Genachowski’s views on net neutrality in particular could create pitfalls.