Glenn Beck, Keith T. Clinkscales, Rafe Oller, Michael Schwimmer & Clint Stinchcomb
Glenn Beck
Title: Founder, TheBlaze
Years in Cable: 9
Education: High School
Keith T. Clinkscales
Title: CEO, Revolt Media & TV
Years in Cable: 11 years in cable, 25 years in media
Education: MBA, Harvard Business School; BS, Florida A&M University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Fearless
Rafe Oller
Title: GM, Z Living
Years in Cable: 17
Education: MA, Brown University; BSEE, University of Miami
One Word that Best Describes Me:
Determined
Michael Schwimmer
Title: CEO, Fuse Media
Clint Stinchcomb
Title: CEO, PokerCentral
Years in Cable: 24
Education: BA, Dartmouth College
One Word that Best Describes Me: Grateful
These players are enjoying a healthy season of growth. Clinkscales is behind the tremendous growth of Revolt Media & TV, locking in distribution deals with major players and bringing streaming assets to OTT players like fuboTV. He also secured programming deals with top talent and continues to host the Revolt Music Conference in Miami. Over at Poker Central, Stinchcomb led the network launch in more than 40 countries, helped create high-stakes TV poker tournament Super High Roller Bowl and made of push for original content. With TheBlaze founder Beck steering the ship, the linear network launched on Verizon FiOS, renewed an agreement with DISH and recently entered into a multiyear distribution agreement with NCTC. Health-focused net Z Living sealed a partnership with Popsugar to co-create branded content and CEO Oller recently announced an expansion of its advertising and sales team across the U.S. Schwimmer, Fuse’s chief exec, has spent the past year relaunching the net after a $226 million acquisition from MSG Co. Following its September debut and the creation of new digital and linear music property FM also under his watch, Fuse continues to grow rapidly.
Keith Clinkscales
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “SportsCenter” (ESPN), “Billions” (Showtime), and “House of Cards” (Netflix)
My first job: My first job ever was at Picarazzi’s Bakery in Trumbull, Connecticut making donuts. I preferred making the jelly filled donuts because the grease from the glazed donuts would often burn me.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: On my Hi-Def TV when I can, but my iPad Pro can hold its on.
My personal theme song is: “Victory” by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: The ubiquitous and faster high-speed Internet (HSI) access has been the biggest innovation in cable over the past year. Combine this with advances in technology and hardware, and one can see how much the landscape has changed. The percentage of people with access to HSI at home, on their smartphones and tablets has created an appetite for more content and more options. The ability to provide more consumers with more access and faster speeds to the Internet has democratized access to content. The intense pace of innovation has been exponential. There is a growing reliance on high-speed Internet access and consumers are changing the way they access information and consume TV. It has also opened up the pace of competition, with a proliferation of OTT competitors. The unintended consequence of faster, better HSI, has been enormous pressure on the video offering.
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Skinny bundles are a Band Aid on the overall programming bundle problem. We have to make the business more flexible and consumer friendly so that it’s accessible to all content creators and affordable to all, especially young people. The future needs to promise a world where access is not limited by the size of your corporation, and the choice of your service has more flexible packaging. Skinny bundles are a start in the right direction, but more is needed.
Rafe Oller
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: The threat of the skinny bundle
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Better Call Saul”
My first job: Cashier at Montgomery Ward. I learned the value of the transaction.
Favorite charity event I work with: ASPCA
My favorite hashtag: #blessed
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Promising, but financially challenging
My dream would be for all my preferences to be connected seamlessly to the Internet of Things so it could provide access though single source registration.
Virtual reality is: Our current viewer ratings system. One day reality will catch up.
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Our Z Living motto: Live more. Live better.
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… Game of Clones
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Mark Antony. My wife was Cleopatra. She looked great.
Michael Schwimmer
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: OTT and all its permutations
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Billions” (Showtime)
Favorite charity event I work with: Operation Mend (UCLA)
My favorite hashtag: #Proudparent
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Motorcycle
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Probably inevitable
Virtual reality is: The next logical step for many types of entertainment
What was your first job? Newspaper delivery on my bicycle
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Only the paranoid survive – A. Grove
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… America at Its Worst
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Bullfighter – I was living in Spain
What should cable do to improve its image? Improve customer experience at every level from set top box interface to call center.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: iPad
Favorite Podcast: Tie: This American Life and The Moth
My favorite newfound hobby: Yoga
My personal theme song is: Do I need one?
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Whatever improves the TVE experience
Favorite vacation spot: Coast of Northeastern Brazil
My typical breakfast is: Soft-boiled egg on toast
My Starbucks order: Grande latte
Clint Stinchcomb
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Extensive
Virtual reality is… somewhere between 3D and HD in regard to consumer potential and acceptance.
My first job: Paperboy, six days a week from 10-13 years old
My cable industry mentor and why: Bill Goodwyn and John Hendricks taught me how to do and how to dream.
My personal theme song is: “It’s a Beautiful Day”
Last show I watched not on my network(s): Better Call Saul
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Win the race you are in
My favorite hashtag is: #PokerCentral
New favorite binge: Rectify
Favorite vacation spot: Wilson Lake, Wilton, ME.
My typical breakfast is: Whey protein shake or leftover dinner
My Starbucks order: Venti coffee of the day