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Steve Friedman, President of Cable for ION Media Networks, has contributed to the expansion of the company’s network distribution from 56% to over 80% of U.S. television households.
Spearheading the development of the network’s affiliations with Top 10 MSO’s throughout the nation and beyond, Mr. Friedman is also credited for the network’s move to better cable channel positions, with more than 80% of cable systems in the top 50 markets carrying the i network on channel 21 or lower.
Recognized for his success in developing innovative strategies to answer the unique demands of the company’s broadcast/cable hybrid structure and the potential for its technological capital, Mr. Friedman is now at the helm of the digital distribution strategy for ION, which is positioned as the largest owner of digital spectrum.
Mr. Friedman was the first to fill a cable position at the company when he joined in March 1998 as National Director of Cable Relations. In his first year, he negotiated cable carriage agreements with Adelphia Cable, Charter Communications, TCI, Time Warner, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, Intermedia and TCA, and was promoted to Vice President, Cable Distribution. One year later, as a result of surpassing all targets in increasing distribution, improving channel position and employing cable tactics to improve Nielsen ratings, Mr. Friedman was named President of Cable Distribution.
Prior to joining the company, Mr. Friedman was Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Videotron/OpTel, one of the first companies to provide both cable television and shared telephone service, located in Florida. From 1982 to 1995, he worked for TCI Cablevision of Florida, Inc. as the Regional Operations Manager for TCI of South Florida and as General Manager for both TCI of Dade/Broward and TCI of Miami. As Regional Operations Manager, Mr. Friedman oversaw TCI’s operations in South Florida which consisted of over 500 employees and 17 municipalities. During his tenure, he was also responsible for successfully renewing several of the cable system’s franchises.
Mr. Friedman has been recognized by CableFAX’s Top 100 since 1999 and has also served as chairman for several charitable, trade and civic associations. | 