Dave Shull & Dan York

Dave Shull

Title: SVP, Programming, DISH Network
Years in Cable: 10
Education: BA, Philosophy, Harvard; MBA, University of Oxford

Dan York

Title: Chief Content Officer, DirecTV
Years in Cable: Decades
Education: Masters, MSU

Is it possible these two fierce satellite competitors could become the best of friends? Merger talk was growing louder this spring after DISH chief Charlie Ergen reportedly approached DirecTV topper Mike White with deal-making on his mind. Meanwhile, Shull and York have been keeping plenty busy on their respective home fronts. Shull continues to bolster DISH’s coffers on both content and distribution fronts, including a groundbreaking OTT deal with Disney. York has made some tough decisions of late regarding DirecTV’s programming slate. The contract dispute with Weather Channel kept the forecaster off the distributor’s air for three months, but in the end DirecTV got it back on the system with concessions, including a promise from the net to cut down on reality content. These days, DirecTV sees a sunny forecast for Big Knockout Boxing. The sport, just sanctioned in Nevada, will be the focus of several DirecTV events this year.

York

John, Paul, George or Ringo? John, with Paul gaining as I age

My favorite newfound hobby: yoga

My ideal celebrity partner on Dancing with the Stars: Sherri York

Oscars or Grammys? Oscars

Favorite Restaurant: Sugarfish lunch with my family

Alec Baldwin… NY or LA? 30 Rock Jack Donaghy

Desert island album: Geraldine and Ricky

The last time I had a good laugh: Reading a recent Regional Sports Network proposal

If someone forced me to cut the cord and only watch 3 over-the-top shows, they would be: Torturing me