The Tennis Channel announced the appointment of Ken Solomon to chairman and chief executive officer of the network effective April 1, 2005. Solomon, former founding president of the Fine Living Cable Network, brings to the network more than 20 years of experience in cable, new media, TV production, distribution, and advertising through top posts at Universal Television, DreamWorks, News Corp. and Scripps. He will succeed David Meister, who has held the post since he co-founded the network.
“With full funding in place and expanded distribution through a recent agreement with Comcast, we are well out of start-up phase, and Ken Solomon is the perfect person to lead us into a very bright future,” said Frank Biondi, a Tennis Channel board member. “Ken's decision to take this position over the numerous other possibilities that emerged after he left Fine Living speaks to the size of this opportunity. He is a talented visionary whose experience with television networks and keen marketing sense is as rare as it is valuable.”
“The two greatest value propositions in cable programming today are live sports and lifestyle brands. As one of the most popular sports on the planet and a unique lifestyle category enjoyed by millions, tennis represents a singular opportunity to deliver both,” Solomon said. “Leading The Tennis Channel is a tremendous opportunity to build upon the strong work that has established this rare stand alone cable brand as the definitive source for all things tennis. My goal for The Tennis Channel is to continue to provide the world's best tennis, while using the game to expand the category and build a significant and valuable audience, distribution and advertiser base that is as passionate about our network as they are about the sport itself.”
In thanking Meister, Biondi added “David has been working tirelessly for several years on the network's behalf. He has recruited an exceptional management team, led distribution deals that provide access to more than 50 million cable subscribers and acquired rights to over 60 of the top tennis events. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Meister exits on a high note having recently closed the Comcast distribution agreement and worked with network president and co-founder Steve Bellamy on The Tennis Channel's purchase of the Scottsdale ATP Tour stop.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Steve Bellamy and the dedicated professionals at The Tennis Channel to meet the demand for a network dedicated to tennis,” said Meister. “It's been a sprint of marathon proportions, and I'm looking forward to taking a break, and getting to spend more time with my family. I'm confident that the network is well poised for even greater success.”
Steve Bellamy added, “It has been my privilege to work with David on the network's launch. He moved mountains to get us up and running in an amazingly short amount of time, and to build a strong foundation from which we can continue to operate and succeed. I look forward to working with Ken Solomon and our team to take The Tennis Channel to the next level.”
As founding president of the Fine Living, Solomon directed one of the fastest and most successful launches of a television network and lifestyle brand. In just over three years Solomon led the network from concept through launch, and ultimately to 25 million subscribers and agreements with distributors representing 73% of the cable and satellite universe. Cited by Kagan as one of the fastest network roll-outs in history, Fine Living gained wide acclaim by creating a new advertiser and sponsorship model that generated exceptional revenues for an emerging network.
Earlier, Solomon held key leadership positions at a number of preeminent media and television companies. As president of Universal Studios Television, (also Studios USA Television), Solomon oversaw worldwide program and asset development and distribution activities for primetime network, cable, syndication, and made-for-television movies. As co-head of DreamWorks Television, Solomon worked with the new studio's legendary founders to help create and develop its worldwide television operations. He also has held senior positions at News Corp., including executive vice president of network distribution at Fox Broadcasting through its transitional ascending period where he was responsible for all network affiliate relations, as well as leading the network's successful conversion of dozens of CBS, ABC and NBC affiliates to Fox, and launching the NFL and NHL franchises. He also served as executive vice president and general sales manager for Twentieth Century Fox Domestic Television. Solomon was integrally involved in the formative development, sale and launch of FX cable network, News Corp.'s first venture into basic cable.
