Marianne Paskowski

By referencing the elephant in the room and the “R” word, I thought you talking about “Republicans”, wait, subconsciously you probably were, since the present administration led us to the edge, then walked away after pushing the country off the cliff. Let’s hope we enjoy 8 years of peace and prosperity, as we did during the last democratic administration.

As for the fatted cow we call cable, with more revenue streams than the IRS, instead of crying, how about dumping the bottom 25% of cable networks (in viewership) and let that programming scamper over to the internet where it can reach the fractured audience for pennies on the dollar. This just might keep them from shoving a monthly cable increase down my throat because ten people in my DMA want to watch a 9th ESPN network or Hanna Montana in Spanish. And no, I don't want to buy your damn phone service, I'm happy with my Baby Bell that doesn't go out when my cable goes black.

Eric,
God, I love being psycho-analyzed. Never thought of the Republicans at all, they lost, remember?

Also love your idea, to a point, about dumping those low-rated niche channels that five people watch and we all pay for.

Maybe another way to skin that cat get is to relegate those losers to the VOD ghetto, and yes, that's what I largely think about VOD. BTW, so refreshing to hear a guy say he doesn't want nine channels of ESPN>

I don't triple play either. When you live on a spit of sand, you want a real land-line phone and not something that goes out when the power does.

Eric, thanks for the laugh, we all need one again, today. DOW down another 400 points as the GOP changes its plans on what to do with the TARP bailout. Our lame-duck government sure made and continues to just keep stepping in it,as dog owners like to say, m

Marianne,

No doubt everyone at CTAM knows about the recession. They go to conferences like CTAM to learn from industry leaders what to do about it. By "muting the R word," as you put it, CTAM clearly did not serve its mission. Char Beales thinks she can wish away the looming cable industry contraction?

Jeff

Come on, already. What are these self-serving industry "conferences" all about in the first place? Squeezing revenue from show exhibitors, and cheerleading the industry leaders--a bunch of clueless folk this year, apparently. Cable industry managers got more of the same-old same-old. Like telling homeowners risking foreclosure that their salvation lies in replacing the drapes.

Raptor Ron

Jeff,
I, too, was disappointed that CTAM did not address the "R" word in their sessions that are designed to be tutorial, learning experiences.

But I think I have an answer: CTAM doesn't know how to handle business conditions in near depression. Cable, for now, is not there, as more people stay at home, bla, bla, bla.

One of the most interesting comments I heard at CTAM was that people who buy the triple play, say that high speed access to the Internet would be the last thing they would give up.

Thanks for your post, m

Raptor,

Yeah, this conference could have been better. CTAM gave speakers a choice to address the recession/depression, and many of those speakers just chose not to go there.

So you have to ask why, and although I usually hate all of your comments, CTAM 08 was a cheer leading session, with nothing to really cheer about.

I wish I knew more about cable's recession plans, m

Cable will get hit by subscribers dropping services. Few people will cancel altogether, but I can see a lot of people dropping HBO, or their cable operator-supplied DVR, or extra boxes. With all of the newly unemployed people out there (myself sadly included), every dollar counts.

Hi David,

Hang in there, you are so ready for your next job, with your awesome skill sets.

I agree with you that people will drop premiums, but not necessarily DVR and extra boxes.

I don't think, however, the triple play is recession proof. All a subscriber has to do is call his cable op, relating a deal about a better offer, from say FiOS, and the discounts begin. What fun.

Thanks for chiming in, and let me tell you all: Dave is one of my best hires when I was at Multichannel News.He knows online better than most.

m

You're probably right about DVRs, now that I think of it.

David,
Knew you would come to your senses and agree with me:)

Meanwhile, about those layoffs I mentioned in my post, QVC is laying off 700 people or 6 percent of its workforce.

m

Yo, Blondie --

Maybe CTAM is on to something, and Barack Obama ought to listen to Char Beales. Don't use the "R" word. None of us should. Recession fears become self-fulfilling prophecies, so if we all stop bleating like helpless sheep and just act as if the economy is robust and we should all spend money and invest, we'd lick the recession.

Cruisin not bruisin

Cruiser,

Sure, tell that to the 700 employees who got pink slips at QVC.

Thanks for your post, but I know what I know, m

Considering that CTAM's attendance was down only "slightly," the show appears to have been a success--for now. Slap the big "R" word all over the idea of business travel and trade shows in this recession. Unless shows and conferences provide "must know" essentials you can't get elsewhere, they'll lose their relevance. In turn, reduced attendance will vitiate their networking value, further eroding their appeal in this time of tight budgets, horrendous airline service, and harried 60-hour week management jobs.

Joe

Hi Joe,
I found my face time invaluable and I thank TV Week for recognizing the need for that valuable tool to reconnect.Many good touch points at CTAM, for me.

Thanks for your post, m