Amazon has been on a content expansion bender, and cable veteran Payne—who joined the company in April—is leading the acquisitions charge. The company is spending a reported $2.5 billion on programming this year. Which is great news for the house of Bezos as it continues to flex its muscle and draw subscribers in the intensely competitive video services field. After 20-plus years at Cox and a stint at Suddenlink, Payne knows a thing or two about negotiating carriage deals. Payne’s current female character muse is “Game of Thrones’” Daenerys Targaryen. “She is fearless, the mother of dragons, and has some of the best clothes and lines on television,” Payne says.
Who is your favorite current female TV character and why?
Daenerys Targaryen, aka Khaleesi, on “Game of Thrones.” What’s not to love about Khaleesi? She is fearless, the mother of dragons, and has some of the best clothes and lines on television. She has not only triumphed, but thrived as a leader in a treacherous world.
What industry topic do you think will dominate industry headlines in 2018 and why?
Continued cord cutting and migration of customers to platforms that give customers more control, lower prices, more choice and convenience.
Best advice for relieving stress?
Get outdoors and exercise.