Byron Allen & Janice Arouh
Byron Allen
Title: Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios/ Entertainment Studios Networks
Number of Years in Cable: 10
Education: USC Film School
One Word that Best Describes Me: Passion
Janice Arouh
Title: President, Network Distribution and Marketing, Entertainment Studios Networks
Number of Years in Cable:
over 20
Education: B.A. Communications, John Carroll University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Closer
WIth Allen’s vision and Arouh’s negotiating chops, this pair works tirelessly to secure distribution for its seven HD cable nets. And in the past year the fruits of their labor included carriage on AT&T/DirecTV — all seven are on AT&T’s U-verse platform — and ESN’s comedy network, Comedy.TV, and court network, JusticeCentral.TV, are both now carried in 20 million DirecTV homes as well. ESN settled its lawsuit with AT&T after it scored the carriage. It has filed a similar lawsuit against Charter for allegedly not launching African-American networks. Meanwhile, Allen is launching a sixth court series, “The Verdict With Judge Hatchet,” plus comedy shows “Funny You Should Ask” and “Trending Funny.” Expect more distribution announcements and TV Everywhere deals from this duo in the future.
Byron Allen
My first job: At age 14 (1975), writing jokes as part of a writing staff with Jay Leno and David Letterman for comedian Jimmie J.J. Walker
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Get out of your way
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Dinner date night with my wife
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Television
My favorite newfound hobby: Sleeping
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with my family
Janice Arouh
My dream would be for… the refrigerator to be connected to the Internet of Things so it could automatically order and deliver groceries form my favorite markets.
My first job: First female teenager (13) to deliver the Cleveland Press.
Favorite charity event you work with: Lupus LA
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… Candidates Unleashed
My personal theme song is: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Transition to DOCSIS 3.1
My typical breakfast is: Pomegranite yogurt with flaxseeds and crushed walnuts.
My Starbucks order: Venti non-fat latte