CableFAX: 89. Programming’s Dean: Patty McCaskill
Patty McCaskill
Title: SVP, Programming, Suddenlink Communications
Age: 28 years in cable — won’t say how old I was when I started
Education: Maryville U, B.A, English, BS, Biology
Why Her? A Cable Pioneer, McCaskill is cable’s senior MSO programming exec. And she’s regarded as one of the toughest — and fairest — negotiators. Her mettle was tested again this year as another retrans cycle began. McCaskill, characteristically, took the heat in stride.
Year Ahead: 
Just keeping afloat will be a victory.
Why I’m Awake Nights: Rising programming costs and meeting Jerry Kent’s expectations to bring them down.
Will Linear TV Be Here in 10 Years? It may, but the way our customers will want to access and view content will be dramatically different
Best Golf Tip: It’s just a game, so have fun.
Favorite Food: Italian
Drink of Choice: Chardonnay — sometimes with a straw in the bottle after a tough negotiation!
Unnecessary Luxury I Like Most: Having someone else clean my house
In ’09 I Resolve To: Finally figure out the work/life balance thing
Favorite Part of My Job: Finding creative win/win solutions that make a deal work for both parties
Best Business Advice Received: Listen and understand the needs of the person sitting across the negotiating table from you. That will give you the keys to a successful negotiation.
Hero: My sister Kathy, who lived life to the fullest, found joy in the little things, never met a stranger, fought cancer with fierceness and faced death with dignity.
CO