In addition to a number of individually owned cable systems, many corporate and regional businesses own and operate more than one cable system. These companies are called multiple system operators or MSOs .
The personnel structure of the MSO usually mirrors the structure of individual cable systems, with one main difference. While the primary function of a cable system is to offer cable services to subscribers, the purpose of the MSO is to provide support services to the cable systems. For instance, by virtue of volume, an MSO may be able to receive greater discounts on equipment and supplies, and thus could serve as the purchasing agent for its systems. Additionally, MSOs typically develop budgets, maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) records, and explore new business opportunities for their systems.
The following departments make up the structure of MSOs.
Corporate Engineering
Operations Management
Sales and Marketing
Public Affairs
Human Resources
Finance
Legal
The MSO is headed by the Chairman , followed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President , then the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Reporting to them are the Vice-Presidentsof various departments that make up the corporate and regional offices of the MSO.
Q = Link to job qualifications
Corporate Engineering
Over the past few decades, technological advances in the cable industry have dramatically changed the way information is disseminated. Within the MSO, the Vice-President of Corporate Engineering assures high-quality telecommunications capabilities for all of the systems. The Vice-President may be assisted by a staff that includes a Director of Research and Development. Q
Operations Management
The management of several cable systems and the umbrella corporate body can be extremely complex. Therefore, the Vice-President of Operations Management is typically assisted by the following:
Director of Management Information Services (MIS) oversees all data processing, system analysis and software programming.
Director of Training assists other MSO employees in developing necessary technical, managerial, and personal skills.
Regional Managers act as liaisons between the MSO and the individual cable systems, implementing corporate strategies and operational policies. Q
Sales and Marketing
Supplementing the local sales and marketing efforts conducted by each cable system is a similar department at the MSO headquarters, headed by a Vice-President of Sales and Marketing . The system marketing directors frequently report directly to their MSO VP.
Within the MSO, the following people report to the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing:
Director of Ad Sales solicits advertising at the national level.
Director of Telemarketing oversees telephone surveys of subscribers and potential system subscribers.
Director of Marketing makes programming decisions based on advertising, telemarketing, and research information. This person is also responsible for determining which cable programming networks are carried by the MSO member systems, and which joint marketing efforts will be conducted.
Director of Marketing Research monitors consumer trends and program preferences, testing the effectiveness of promotional efforts and program scheduling. Q
Public Affairs
An MSO must communicate effectively with member cable systems, the media, consumers, and the government. The Vice-President of Public Affairs coordinates information between the MSO and each of these entities. Assistance in these efforts is provided by:
Regional Public Affairs Directors handle the management of public affairs for their assigned regions and serve as liaisons between the system Public Affairs Directors and the MSO Vice-President.
Director of Government Affairs establishes and maintains contact with public officials and regulatory agencies by providing them with information about the cable company, representing the corporation at hearings and other meetings, and monitoring legislation and other regulatory matters. Q
Human Resources
The Vice-President of Human Resources is assisted by the Director of Personnel in complying with Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Standards in hiring personnel, establishing compensation and benefits packages, and managing staff development and employee relations. Q
Finance
The expenses and revenues of each of the individual cable systems must be balanced and reported by the MSO in appropriate documents for the FCC, lending institutions, and investors. It is the responsibility of the Vice President of Financeto determine strategy and make policy decisions for all the MSO's member systems based on the "bottom line" calculated by the following individuals: Director of Accounting alances the accounts and reports the financial status of the member systems, as well as those of the MSO.
Director of Corporate Development xplores investment opportunities and develops expansion strategies. Q
Legal
MSOs engage in substantial amounts of business involving contract negotiations (i.e. system acquisitions, network programming agreements, etc.). Therefore, experienced attorneys and staff are necessary. This department is headed by the Vice President of Legal Affairs. Q