Chris McCumber

Title: Co-President, USA Network

Education: Lafayette CollegeBest advice in 7 words or less: Don’t be afraid to stretch. (You can apply that advice to just about every part of your life).

Jeff Wachtel

Title: Co-President, USA Network

Years in Cable: 13

Education: BA, Yale

Why Them? McCumber and Wachtel were elevated in March to share the title and lead the five-year No. 1 cable network, which launched a record eight original series in summer 2011. With the exception of “Law & Order: CI,” which completed a 10-season run, all were renewed: That marks the largest renewal order ever for a cable network. USA also has plenty of name brands in its kitty: “Royal Pains,” “White Collar,” “Covert Affairs,” “Burn Notice” and “Necessary Roughness,”—boasting original programming five nights a week.

Year Ahead: The edgier-than-usual-USA-fare “Suits” was renewed for a second season. An indication of a new direction in programming?

Chris McCumber

The Top 3 most played selections on my IPod: It changes every week, but right now it’s Wilco "The Whole Love," DJ Quik "The Book of David" and I just can’t get "Super Bass" from Nicki Minaj off my "recently played" list!
 
Favorite sports team: The New York Giants, of course
 
A favorite meal that I can prepare myself: A dish my wife and I had on our honeymoon called "Duck Three Ways"…. My kids just call it "Yum."
 
My favorite business or motivational book: "The Speed of Trust" by Stephen M.R. Covey. Trust is the key to success in everything we do.
 
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with my family.
 

Jeff Wachtel

Favorite meal I can also make myself: Lasagna
 
Personal Theme Song: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
 
This incident from my youth taught me an important lesson: My parents divorced when I was 9. It taught me that smart, good people can do crazy things.
 
Favorite “going out” town: London
 
One thing I tell my kids about success in life: Success is loving what you do and loving who you’re with. You can’t control the rest.

The Daily

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Comcast Expands Prepaid With Mobile, Internet Plans

Comcast introduced a prepaid brand Wednesday under which it will offer low-cost internet, mobile and streaming products. The brand will be called NOW, and the portfolio was created largely in response to the

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