Five Questions with SCTE pres/CEO John Clark
What do you expect to dominate SCTE’s Emerging Technologies confab in Dallas this week? With the breadth of the all-digital network so much can be accomplished, I think the focus will be on the highest priorities. The inevitability of the all-digital network, going beyond DOCSIS 2.0, B2B applications and OCAP migration are probably keys. Why tap RealNetworks chief Rob Glaser to keynote? We’re bringing more outside, challenging views to cable tech professionals to broaden perspectives. How has your Spanish-language initiative fared? It’s off to an excellent start. We have a good foundation; the question is what are the appropriate next steps. One of the most important elements is not just the individual member services, but the more important global implications. We think it sends a message that cable welcomes Spanish speakers. Will Western’s demise influence Expo in June? No, the big changes will be in ’05—the 1st real convention year where the general NCTA convention and Cable-Tec Expo follow a year with no Western. U of MD football or basketball? Hoops. While the Terps have been natl champions in both, I was too young to enjoy the football championship in ’53 under Jim Tatum. But I will savor the ’02 hoops championship for as long as I breathe.