The National Cable Television Association Show (NCTA) presented the theme “Cable Puts You in Control” at its 54th Annual Convention and International Exposition. I was excited to take part in what is often called “the most important 64 hours in cable.” My introduction to the cable industry began with The Cable Center's Academic Seminar at NCTA, where academics from across the country gathered to learn about new technologies and to discuss issues pertinent to telecommunications and cable. I also met prominent academic and industry leaders, including Dr. Sylvia Chan-Olmstead of the University of Florida and Tom Feige, Time Warner Cable National Division President. The topics included distance learning, Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and interactive television. The seminar also included a discussion on legislative issues concerning indecency and the regulation of broadband.

At the NCTA general and breakout sessions, I learned about the future possibilities of cable. With the advent of broadband cable, service providers can now offer an array of services from video to high-speed internet access to phone connections over the internet. The future of cable will likely include alliances with wireless phone service providers and a continuation of bundling services. I had the opportunity to speak with representatives from OpenTV about the future of interactive television. OpenTV provides the middleware for interactive television applications such as games, multi-screen mosaics, and enhanced advertising.

Walking the exhibit floor at NCTA, I was initially overwhelmed by the elaborate displays. Networks, including MTV, Discovery, ESPN, Disney, and many others. All of the exhibits attracted convention goers with flashy displays and giveaways in order to promote their programming. Joan Gundlach and Dr. Libby O'Connell from A & E Television Networks spent time with me to talk about The History Channel's future programming and expressed enthusiasm for an upcoming documentary featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt.

From the panel discussion to the show floor, I could sense the buzz of excitement that surrounds the cable business.