The One Thing

Johnathan Rodgers
Title: President/CEO, TV One
Age: 61
Years in Industry: 30
Years left in Industry: 30

Rose Catherine Pinkney
Title: EVP, programming & production, TV One
Age: “In the 18-49 demo.”
Years in Industry: “2 in cable; a few more than that in television.”
Years left in the industry: “Probably quite a few more.”
 
Brad Samuels
Title: EVP, affiliate sales and marketing, TV One
Age: “Same as Bono.”
Years in Industry: “More than Bono.”
Years left in Industry: “Until there’s only one cable operator, one satellite provider, and one telco.”

Why Them? Expanding the African-American demo beyond BET? Quincy Jones knew Rodgers was the man for the job when he advised TV One founder Alfred Liggins to go after him, and Rodgers has not disappointed. Not only has Rodgers overseen the channel’s sprint to 40mln subscribers in less than three years. He also is a vocal champion for diversity, most recently as co-chair of the new Alliance for Diversity in Programming. Rodgers, too, knows how to put the right people in the right spot, including Keith Bowen, EVP, advertising sales and marketing, Karen Wishart, EVP/chief legal counsel, and Susan Banks, EVP, marketing and creative services. Yes, we voted Samuels the nicest guy in cable in this year’s Faxies, but don’t be fooled: He’s a tiger when it comes to affiliate dealmaking and a major reason for the network’s rapid ascent. And Pinkney’s coveted Rolodex and knack for scooping up fare like a new docu-reality project starring Muhammad Ali’s daughter keeps TV One’s programming fresh but focused. We hear she’s pushing for a budget for original scripted programming… we can’t wait to see what she’ll do with it!  CAO

Johnathan Rodgers
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I discovered I could watch live news coverage 24 hours a day.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Decker Anstrom; he know how to win with grace and style.”
Favorite city: “San Francisco”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “From the film The Arrangement, a line between ex-lovers: ‘The ______ I’m getting is not worth the ______ I’m getting’.”
Three things I would take with me to a desert island: “Three slingboxes… one for each time zone except for the Mountain Zone.”
Favorite song: “California Love” by Tupac
Favorite TV show: “Numbers” – “Not only do the smart people win; they also get the best looking women.”
Favorite sports team: “Cal Golden Bears”

Rose Catherine Pinkney  
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “After years in broadcast, I knew cable was for me when “Sex and the City” began airing on HBO. As a single professional with my own quirky friends, I realized that cable networks get to make shows that reflect what the world is really like—the comedy and the drama, the good, the bad AND the ugly. TV One was the perfect move into cable for me because I now get to produce shows that reflect that same spectrum of reality of African-American adult life and culture.”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “Making a few bogeys my first time out on the golf course. Of course, I have not been able to replicate that performance since…”
In my free time, I like to: “See movies… Any movie, any time—just call me. I’ll buy the popcorn.”
Favorite sports team: “The Washington Redskins. I’m a diehard fan despite the name that some find offensive and their not-so-great record for the past decade.”
My perfect vacation: “Traveling first to a UNESCO World Heritage Site like the Taj Mahal or the Great Wall of China and taking an in-depth tour, then finding the nearest ocean and relaxing by the beach for a few days to rejuvenate.”

Brad Samuels:
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Consumer confusion on the digital transition.”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “Helping TV One hit 40 million subscribers so damn fast!”
My most embarrassing cable moment was: “Worst Crash Award at SkiTAM 2006”
Favorite restaurant: “Café Cielo”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “Never ask a question unless you already know the answer” – The Verdict
Favorite TV show: “Flight of the Conchords”
Favorite sports team: “Cold Spring Harbor Raptors”
The three most played songs on my iPod are: “Riding to Vanity Fair” by Paul McCartney, “The Mystery” by Tommy Emmanuel, “So What” by Miles Davis
The world would be a better place if: “Wyclef Jean were President.”

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