More Predictions: Programmers Will Be Programmers

[Editor’s Note: This is the second of a 2-part series. Part I ran Dec 27. Full versions of these predictions are at: https://www.cablefax.com] We received several predictions about programming from execs, who, not surprisingly, publicized their own networks. There’s Turner chmn/CEO Phil Kent predicting people will be turning to cable news nets (like CNN) in ’06 "for words and pictures to help us make sense of our world." Then there’s Rainbow’s Josh Sapan predicting that distribution windows for films will begin to benefit cable (and Mag Rack). And YES Net’s Ray Hopkins predicts the NJ Nets will grab higher ratings than the NY Knicks for the 1st time. (Did we mention that YES carries Nets’ games?) We have SOAPnet gm Deborah Blackwell saying: "Our host of ‘Soap Talk,’ Lisa Rinna, will win the 2nd season of "Dancing with the Stars" [because] she learned strategy from soaps, [and] nothing is more cunning than soap-strategy." Discovery pres Billy Campbell chimes in: "Not only will Lance Armstrong come out of retirement in a quest for an 8th Tour de France victory (I wish), he will star in several new hit series on Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet." Why are these programmer predictions important? Because, as CTI vp Lori Krinsky says: "Digital may continue to capture the headlines, but programming that keeps us glued to the TV will still pay the bills."