Tom Rogers
Years in Cable: 33 years counting my time on Capitol Hill
Education: BA, government, Wesleyan University; JD, Columbia Law School
Best Advice: Be the one making change happen.
As former senior counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Telecommunications Committee, where he drafted the 1984 Cable Act, and the first president of NBC’s cable division, Rogers is no stranger to the cable club. At present he’s committed to transforming TiVo from its DVR legacy into a global leader in advanced TV entertainment. He needs cable operators to further that vision—and he’s well on his way. Rogers has shepherded deals with several MSOs, and just this past year inked a multiplatform deal with Atlantic Broadband and Blue Ridge Communications. Most recently, the company acquired cloud-based content discovery service Digitalsmiths, which allows cable ops to access integrated search across OTT devices. The deal solidifies its interest in personalization and metadata. To be sure, TiVo will leverage Digitalsmiths’ relationships with seven of the top 10 US pay TV distributors, with the hope of increased penetration of its next-gen DVR Roamio in cable subs’ homes.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: TiVo
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: TiVo Roamio
TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in: “House of Cards”
John, Paul, George or Ringo? Bob Dylan
I wish Congress would just… go back to the way it was in the ‘80s.
Frank Underwood or Nick Brody? Underwood
One thing I would do all the time if I could: Eat Dunkin’ Donuts jelly donuts
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: TiVo
Favorite Cable Show memory: The launch of CNBC on April 17, 1989
My ideal celebrity partner on Dancing with the Stars: Janet Yellen
Favorite Restaurant: Michael’s NY
Favorite vacation spot: Home
Beach or mountains? Beach
Alec Baldwin… NY or LA? Irrelevant
Who’s on tap for the next big comeback? Jay Leno
Desert island album: Anything Van Morrison
Favorite TV show as a kid: “Leave It To Beaver”
The day we get multiplatform measurement is the day I… answer these questions. TiVo has it.
My favorite business/motivational book: Who Moved My Cheese?
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year is: Moving recordings to the iPad for TiVo cable customers.
If someone forced me to cut the cord and only watch 3 over-the-top shows, they would be: There are not enough to have 3–“House of Cards”
