Title: President/CEO, Discovery Networks International
Number of Years in Cable: 22
Education: BA, Colgate; JD, Yale Law School
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Never do anything really important alone.
Luis Silberwasser
Title: EVP/Chief Content Officer, Discovery Networks International
Number of Years in Cable: 15
Education: BS, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Tech; MBA, Harvard Business School
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Don’t wing it… become an expert.
Why Them? Global warming, indeed. Double-digit growth outside the U.S. was key to Discovery’s revenue heat last year, with international nets contributing $1.6 billion of the total $4.5 billion sum—a 13% jump from the prior year. Hollinger and Silberwasser deserve much credit for these global strides, navigating Byzantine business models and rules in the 210-plus countries and territories that carry Discovery content. But why stop there? They’re also working to integrate the brand new of SBS Nordic Operations, among the biggest purchase in the company’s history. With exports like TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (a break-out hit in Brazil… who knew?), the duo is looking to growth there as well as Russia and Mexico as they mine un-Discovered territory.
Hollinger
The one thing I’d do differently if I could go back to high school: Get a better haircut.
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… watching English soccer (which I cannot justify as work since we bought a stake in Eurosport).
Favorite decade? The 60’s (for the music)
Favorite airport? Singapore
The movie that should never be remade? Casablanca
I watch the majority of programming on this device: My iPad—it’s all about binge viewing on long trips and watching baseball anywhere in the world or MLB.com.
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… don’t take yourself too seriously.
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… Why stop with just a "second screen?" They seem to have at least three or four going all the time.
Silberwasser
Apple or Samsung? Apple
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Neither… Genesis and Bruce Springsteen
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… spending time with the kids.
This is the hobby I’ve been itching to try, but haven’t found time: Playing piano
The other subject I wish I’d picked for my college major: History
Favorite decade? 90s
The movie that should never be remade? Casablanca
The best piece of business advice I’ve gotten this year: Don’t settle
I watch the majority of programming on this device: My iPad
My favorite Cable Show memory: Just being there for my first NCTA.
Netflix or Hulu? Neither… Apple TV
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Bill Clinton
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… do what you are passionate about.
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… put the iPhone away.
The TV show title that most resembles my life is… “Family Ties”
Favorite business and/or motivational book?Moneyball
Favorite vacation spot? Colombia
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: Catch-up services. ?
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