April 1 Edition: Comcast Moves Ahead w/TWC! Wheeler Punts, Runs! NAB Wants More! DISH Merges!

My new book “The Revolutionary Evolution of the Media” continues! Read the latest chapter here .

Comment : "News" that should be news …

Brian Roberts summoned David Cohen to his office asking about the shot clock stall … “Screw it,” Brian told David, “let’s move ahead on Time Warner Cable without Federal Confusion Commission permission … what can they do?” “Well,” David replied, “Wheeler won’t like it; let’s just wait, we’ll get what we need.” Brian said, “Haven’t you heard? Wheeler quit! And Obama won’t have the guts ‘cause he’s got more to worry about!”

Really. Wheeler punted, telling the press, “I’ve been beaten up by too many Republicans that it is time to get even! Today, I’m resigning from the FCC and later this afternoon I’ll be filing papers to run against the incumbent in Virginia’s 6^th Congressional District! Watch out, Goodlatte. I’ve had enough! I will have to move pretty soon, though. By the way, just so we get good attendance, I’m announcing for real at Liberty U. in Lynchburg where attendance is mandatory; Ajit will introduce me.” The President is rumored to be considering appointing former Comcast executive and political aide David Krone to replace Wheeler. Ajit Pai said, “Of course I’m introducing him -- he’s leaving! Yea!”

The National Association of Over-the-Airheads (NAB) is asking the FCC and Congress to cover the costs of repacking for any broadcaster that sells spectrum to the US. “The cost of repacking should be borne by the US as it will be a serious hassle to repack after collecting millions for spectrum that actually belongs to the US.”

DISH has found a wireless partner! Hong Kong based Hutchison Whampoa has decided to double DISH CEO Charles Ergen’s ranking on the Forbes Billionaire list as it acquires DISH network for $27B. Ergen, though, is keeping Echostar and Sling as his toys.

Kleiner Perkins fired all the other junior partner women on staff. Only remaining woman is one secretary. Duck Dynasty’sPhil Robertson said, “That’s how God wants it.” And now 20 states allow some form of discrimination.

Getting Back to Reality …

Schmooze time in Vail from April 9–12 … the very best social plus “Do Good” activity in all of media is Adaptive Spirit … formerly (and better) known as Ski-TAM. Led by cable veterans Steve Raymond and Joe Rooney, the weekend brings vendors and their customers to Vail in the best sense of working together. “Another great reason to show up is the telecommunications industry's commitment to supporting adaptive athletes. Because of our strong support, the U.S. Paralympic National Ski Team won the Nation's Cup, which is awarded to the top adaptive ski team in the world! As we have helped build this team, they have changed our lives by reminding us of the importance of tenacity and working hard to meet individual and group goals.” For details, go to http://www.adaptivespirit.com/cms/ski_event/index.html. There’s ski racing, great dinners and the best silent auction in the industry.

In the cable business, you can’t pass “Go” without Tony Werner. A long time cable veteran working with Rogers (in the US and Canada), TCI, AT&T Broadband, Liberty Global and who is now “responsible for developing and guiding Comcast Cable’s technology and product strategy including network architecture and next-generation consumer systems/products including the X1 operating system and CloudTV.” In other words, Tony, Comcast’s EVP/CTO, is pretty much responsible for what cable is today. An amiable unassuming guy, his fingerprints are on almost every aspect of every cable system in the world today. No wonder he’s in the Cable Center Hall of Fame.

The 18^th Annual Cable Center Hall of Fame dinner is set for Tuesday, May 5^th at the Navy Pier (600 East Grand Avenue in Chicago) during the INTX (nee: The Cable Show) that week.