The Big Os

Name: Roger L. Werner
Title: CEO, Outdoor Channel
Age: “Always young.”
Years in Industry: 28
Years left in Industry: “Infinite.”

The Ovation TV Team
Titles: CEO (Charles Segars), COO (Ron Garfield) and EVP (Chad Gutstein).

Why Them? Yeah, we realize that’s there’s really no connection between Ovation and Outdoor Channel (Unless you count orchestral concerts in the park). But there’s one thing we like about both of these nets: They’re doing it their way… and loving it! Ovation relaunched in June with a new look and feel, giving it an even better opportunity to bring back the arts after Bravo and A&E long ago took a turn toward more mainstream fare. But the team of CEO Charles Segars, COO Ron Garfield and EVP Chad Gutstein are hard to stop. Their enthusiasm for the product is simply unmatched. Werner, meanwhile, continues to guide Outdoor Channel to new heights, aided by new affiliate sales & marketing guru Randy Brown and an outstanding team of execs. Carriage and prominence has been steadily increasing, along with more innovative original programming (Who can really resist “Dock Dogs” in which canines leap into the water for height and distance?! OK, we’re dog fans… but still… those mutts can jump!).  MG

Roger Werner
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Being an independent network in a mature industry where a small number of companies control the lion’s share of the distribution pipeline.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Bill Daniels who showed an entire industry how to succeed while demonstrating an unequaled generosity of spirit and unparalleled entrepreneurial enthusiasm.”
Favorite city: “Los Angeles”
Favorite movie: “The Big Lebowski”
Favorite sports team: “Ferrari F-1”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Email: it invades people’s lives and disincentives us to connect personally.”


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