With thousands of gas-powered generators in use across cable systems, inventor Dean Kamen showed up at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo to pitch operators a new twist on an old idea: The Stirling engine, which uses heat energy instead of combustion. “Power is going to be the 800-pound gorilla soon, and this box is something that can help solve the problem,” he told Time Warner Cable CTO Mike LaJoie during an onstage Q&A. Read on for a look at the economics of the idea and possible business opportunities.

More top stories in today’s CableFAX Daily:
 
CNN’s Candy Crowley may have been the moderator, but NBC was the winner for debate night. Check out Nielsen’s ratings.
 
In a panel featuring some of cable’s most powerful female techies, execs agreed that cable must be more nimble to meet consumers’ ever-rising tech expectations. Here are their thoughts on creating intuitive devices and improving efficiency.
 
The FCC adopted revised rules Wed that should resolve interference issues between AT&T and Sirius XM and allow AT&T to deploy mobile broadband on its WCS band spectrum.

The Daily

Subscribe

Trump Backs Carr After Threat to Pull Broadcasters’ Licenses

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was in the spotlight again this weekend following his warning to broadcasters that they could lose their licenses over coverage of the U.S.’ war in Iran.

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Mar 27
2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards Presented in partnership with Cablefax
May 5
T. Howard Foundation Annual Awards Dinner
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact us at marketing@cynopsis.com, for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.