CableFAX: 10. Rockin’ the Bar: Steve Koonin
Steve Koonin
Title: President, Turner Entertainment Networks
Last Year: #16
Age: 51
Education: U of GA
Why Him? Koonin loves to laugh, and he’s been doing a lot of that lately as TNT remains strong after 20 years and TBS has been invigorated by MLB playoffs. The pair generally is near or at the top of cable’s prime weekly rankings. TNT has followed smash hits Saving Grace and The Closer with Raising the Bar, which on Labor Day Weekend became ad-supported cable’s best series launch (5.7mln HH delivery) despite hefty competition. The Closer already holds the ad-supported cable series viewing record (6.8 HH rating /6.37mln HH delivery). TNT earned 10 prime-time Emmy noms this year.
Broadcast or Cable? TNT ambitiously plans to shift by ’10 to a mostly original prime lineup.
Year Ahead: 
Don’t expect Turner originals to regress in quality, but equal success for future projects may be a bit much to ask.
Favorite Show Not on My Network: The Office
Last Book Read: Chasing Cool: Standing Out in Today’s Cluttered Marketplace
In ’09 I Resolve To: Spend more time at the beach
Favorite Part of My Job: The day-to-day interaction with department heads
Favorite Sports Team: U of GA Bulldogs
CH