Michael Willner

Willner, now CEO of Penthera Partners, needs no introduction. The co-founder of Insight Communications and former multi-term chairman of NCTA knows the industry—as one associate says—“from the street to the suite.” He was elected as the 2016 chairman for the Cable Center and would have ran publicly traded MSO Greatland Connections had the Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger gone forward. But while he’s a cable pioneer, it would be a mistake to view him as old school.  Not only is he heading a software company specializing in “download-to-go,” but he has the institutional experience to understand what MVPDs need to be nimble. His 3 go-to apps are The Wall Street Journal app, “because they absolutely nailed tablet newspaper viewing,” Seamless Web, “because you can get any kind of food you want delivered in Manhattan,” and Uber, “because it changed my life.”

What does the multiscreen experience look like in 3 years?

The only thing I know for sure about the multiscreen experience in 3 years is that it will be very different from anything anyone can envision today.  I expect that mobile viewing will continue to dominate and we will be doing more than ever on extremely capable mobile devices.

How do you keep yourself and your team engaged and informed on the changing multiscreen universe?

First, we read everything we can get our hands on, of course, starting with Cablefax every morning.  Then, we meet with everyone.  The multiscreen environment is evolving at a breakneck pace and we meet with folks in the technology, advertising, distribution and content world.  Most important, we listen to what they are doing and planning.

What are your 3 go-to apps?

The Wall Street Journal, because they absolutely nailed tablet newspaper viewing.  Seamless Web because you can get any kind of food you want delivered in Manhattan.  And Uber, because it changed my life.