Name: Ed Markey
Title: House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman
Age: 61

 
Why him? We’re only singling out one member of Congress, and it’s not even the heads of the Senate or House Commerce Committees? That’s because Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), a key architect of the ’92 Cable Act, has proven to be the most outspoken member on cable/telecom issues this session. And whether he’s drilling Kevin Martin on how he runs the FCC, pressuring programmers to curb depictions of smoking on TV or delving into the digital transition, he can always be counted on for a little entertainment. He’s also a force to be reckoned with—look at how many food manufacturers and kids’ nets have followed his lead and pledged to limit junk food advertising to kids. So far, he hasn’t started any major food fights with cable operators, but cable would be wise to keep a spoonful of mash potatoes handy, just in case.  AM

 

The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Assisting policymakers on ensuring that the digital television transition goes smoothly by continuing efforts to help educate consumers about the transition, about the converter-box coupon program, and about what consumers will need, or won’t need to do, to keep their television working when the transition date arrives in 2009.”
The coolest new cable tech is: “I love DVR technology and am intrigued by the Slingbox technology, but to me the newest cool thing in cable is the announced possibility that wideband cable modem speeds may reach 200 megabits per second.”
Favorite sports team: “If I had to pick one, it would be the ‘RedSoxCelticsPatriotsBCEagles’ of course!”
I wish cable would: “Figure out how to add more hours to the viewing day—I can’t squeeze enough news and sports viewing into the current 24 hour day…”
The world would be a better place if: “CableFAX had its own cable channel, and every employee got their own talk show.” (Editor’s Note: Does this guy know how to get favorable coverage or what?)


Click here to go to the next entry
Click here go to the previous entry
Click here to return to the 2007 CableFAX 100 list

The Daily

Subscribe
Friday–July 11

Next Frontier: CableLabs Explores More than Speed Connectivity Era

Internet speed records are all the rage these days, with two separate breakthroughs making the headlines recently. One is more in the distant future, but the other hits closer to home.

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.