Jerry Kent
Title: Chairman/CEO, Suddenlink
Age: Too old to pitch for the Cardinals
Education: BS, MBA, Washington U (& 26 years of telecom wars)

Why Him? It’s simplistic to say Suddenlink’s success is tied to its stressing the basics, but that’s the truth. "Sometimes we complicate this business," Kent said during The Cable Show when asked about Suddenlink’s reluctance to explore wireless. Kent’s push for value and customer service was reflected in a new $3.5mln customer care center in W. VA and a 62-point jump in JD Power’s satisfaction index in late ’08 (all but 2 providers declined). And in an economic downturn, Suddenlink posted its best Q ever (1Q ’09). If St Louis hadn’t tanked in the playoffs, Kent would really be smiling.

Nice: Kent established a $3mln scholarship for undergrads at his alma mater.

Year Ahead:

Suddenlink is expanding HD offerings, rolling out VOD and home security and completing a huge fiberlink project in LA.

The Daily

Subscribe
Friday–May 2

Fubo Readies Sports Bundle Ahead of Merger

Fubo’s earnings calls are on the shorter side nowadays as it preps for a new chapter merged with Hulu + Live TV and under Disney ownership, but the vMVPD said it beat subscriber guidance and met revenue targets for 1Q25—all while gaining optimism in the opportunities skinny bundles can provide.

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Sep 11
2025 Faxies Awards Faxies Nominations Open! Final deadline: 4/4/25
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Carley Ashley, [email protected], for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.