Louise Sams

EVP & General Counsel, Turner Broadcasting

Sams oversees a team of lawyers around the globe as they oversee legal matters including acquisitions, production and clearance of content for Turner’s entertainment and animation networks. She also protects the company’s intellectual property and handles litigation and employment matters. She cites the FCC’s proposal on set-top boxes as the year’s biggest cable story. “That certainly reinforces to everyone the need for innovation and keeping pace with technology changes and evolving consumer habits,” she says. And Sams looks no further than TBS’ own “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” to cite an example of a strong female presence. “She is strong, clever, fearless and smart and more programming with women like that would be great,” Sams says.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

I would tell myself to be eternally curious, ask questions, and get to know anyone and everyone who crosses your path because you can learn something from everyone – and enjoy your youth; don’t be in a rush to grow up!

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why? 

I have to cite “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” even though Samantha is not playing a role. She is instead the first female host of a late-night satire show; she is a pioneer; she speaks her mind – creatively, hilariously – she doesn’t shy away from tough issues. I love seeing Samantha Bee because she is strong, clever, fearless and smart and more programming with women like that would be great.

What’s the biggest story in cable this year? 

As a lawyer, I have been following the FCC’s proposal on set top boxes, which is still a work in progress but generally speaking, I think that the biggest story is all of the speculation about the future of our industry. That certainly reinforces to everyone the need for innovation and keeping pace with technology changes and evolving consumer habits. It is definitely an interesting time to be in the cable industry!