BOSTON — Earlier this week, Disney and ESPN Media Networks participated in the National Cable and Telecommunication Association (NCTA)’s annual Cable Show.
The event brought together cable executives from across the country to learn about developments and recognize achievements in the cable industry.
Among the ESPN executives featured on industry panels were John Skipper, President, ESPN; David Preschlack, Executive Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing; Chuck Pagano, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Matt Murphy, Senior Vice President, Digital Video Distribution; and Patricia Betron, Senior Vice President, Multimedia Sales. Additionally, Pagano was honored with the prestigious Vanguard Award for Science and Technology.
During the conference, CNBC interviewed Skipper and VideoNuze spoke to Preschlack about ESPN’s strategy in the cable television industry, especially with regard to WatchESPN, the award-winning app that delivers live ESPN to PCs, tablets and smartphones.
“We’ve had over eight million people download the app and usage is ramping up really well,” said Preschlack in his interview.
“The next phase for us is really on the education front. We have to let people know what it is, how it is they get it and what it means to have it.”
On the exhibit floor, the innovative Disney and ESPN exhibit space showcased WatchESPN products on iPads and laptops while television screens displayed Disney, ESPN and ABC programming.
WatchESPN was also featured in the Cable Show’s Imagine Park App Pond along with other cable industry apps.
Throughout the conference, visitors to the Disney and ESPN booth were greeted by two popular mascots: UT Hook’ Em from the Longhorn Network and UGA’s Hairy Dawg with ESPN 3D, as well as a rotating schedule of appearances by iconic trophies including the Emmy Award, the FIFA World Cup, the Heisman Trophy and the ESPY Award.
Additionally, Cable Show attendees had an opportunity to meet and seek autographs from ESPN baseball analysts (and Boston favorites) Terry Francona and Nomar Garciaparra.
Perhaps the best moment of the entire experience was a tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery complete with beer tastings and food pairings on Monday evening hosted by the Disney and ESPN Affiliate Sales and Marketing team. Among the special guests were ESPN talent duo Steve Berthiaume and Cindy Brunson along with industry executives and media.
Next year’s Cable Show is slated for June 10-12 in Washington D.C.
