CableU.tv is honored to bring you this exclusive interview with William J. Abbott, President and Chief Executive Officer for Crown Media Holding, owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. Abbott oversees a team of seasoned executives who manage the day-to-day operations of all facets of the channels, including programming, marketing, ad [...]
Category: Executive Interviews
CableU is honored to present Robert M. Ecker, VP Programming / Executive Producer, for the Speed Channel. Note: This is an interview from our archives that we are reposting for you to be included among our main executive interviews on this blog.
CU: What is the key element that makes a program right for your network?
BE: [...]
Note: Katie Ackerman Buchanan is Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions for The Style Network. She is responsible for the programming and strategy for both the linear network and VOD platform. Katie manages the programming budget and oversees all acquisitions and co-productions for the network. She has brokered several high-profile acquisition deals including “Supernanny”, “Extreme Makeover,” [...]
Note: Debbie Myers is general manager of the Science Channel, and Executive Vice President of Programming for Discovery Emerging Networks. Ms. Myer’s leads the development, production, scheduling, research, marketing and communications efforts for Science Channel, with direct responsibility for driving the revenue and ratings for the brand. We recently spoke with Ms. Myers about what’s [...]
CU: Tell us a little about the programs either airing or in development you’re most excited about. I caught “Forensics: You Decide” recently and think it’s a great concept. How’d that one come to the network?
HS: Investigation Discovery has a close relationship with Sirens Media since both companies are based in Silver Spring, Md. [...]
CableU is proud to present Carey Kyler, vice president of television programming and commission- ing for Travel Channel.
CU: What is the key element that makes a program right for your network?
CK: It’s hard to narrow to just one element. “Travel” means something slightly different to everyone, so we’ve put a lot of thought [...]

June 1, 2009
Executive Interview: Marc Etkind
Animal Planet's VP of development gives you the scoop. Read before pitching!
CableU is proud to present Marc Etkind, vice president of development for Animal Planet. In this role, Marc oversees program development for the network and is responsible for the conceptualization and creation of series, stunts, specials as well as other programming initiatives for Animal Planet. In this exclusive CableU Executive Interview he candidly shares [...]
Faculty Note: CableU is proud to present Greg Moyer, president of Scripps International, as he responds to our most recent analyses of the Scripps Networks’ on CU and answers our key executive programming questions. Moyer guides Scripps Networks’ global business opportunities, a key strategy in creating new growth for the company as it takes greater [...]
Faculty Note: CableU is honored to present Rita Mullin, Vice President of Development at TLC. Rita is responsible for helping to set the creative direction for programming for the channel. She developed Jon & Kate Plus 8 and 18 Kids and Counting, two of the network’s highest rated shows.
Prior to joining TLC, Mullin was Vice [...]

March 16, 2009
Executive Interview: John Barker
President and Chief Creative Officer of lifestyle branding and advertising agency Barker/DZP
In this week’s post we’ve invited advertising executive John Barker to weigh in on the state of advertising during these economic times and share some of his insight on the advertising industry as it relates to his years of his experience working with cable networks. Mr. Barker helped launch breakthrough series such as Rosanne, thirtysomething, [...]






