Tom Rogers, JD '79
Tom Rogers currently serves as Executive Chairman of WinView, Inc. WinView operates at the intersection of TV sports, social media, gaming and mobility, and with 28 patents, is the leading player in the application of games in which viewers can engage while simultaneously watching live TV sports.
Between 2005 and 2016, when the company was sold, Tom was CEO, as well as, Chairman of TiVo, Inc., which changed TV viewing behavior forever. His career has operated at the nexus of media, technology and public policy for more than three decades. With vast experience running traditional media and new media companies, and creating innovative business models for companies facing new challenges, Tom’s efforts have revolutionized the way consumers experience home entertainment. Under Tom’s leadership, TiVo was totally turned around from a company many thought was “going away” to one that is the leader in providing cable operators worldwide with an advanced television user experience; while also providing consumers the only retail cable set top box (receiving rave reviews and widespread acclaim); not to mention providing the media industry with an array of TV audience research data solutions considered truly unique by advertisers and marketers. Tom’s handling of TiVo’s patent and intellectual property rights were widely heralded as enormous victories for the company.
Prior to joining TiVo, Tom was President of NBC Cable and Executive Vice President of NBC, as well as NBC’s Chief Strategist. During his accomplished tenure at NBC, Tom founded CNBC, the nation’s leading business channel, and in so doing changed the face of business news. He also established the NBC/Microsoft cable channel and Internet joint venture, MSNBC. In addition, he served as Co-Chairman of the Arts and Entertainment and History Channels, and was responsible for overseeing many other cable channels, including Court TV, Bravo, American Movie Classics, Independent Film Channel, the National Geographic Channel, and numerous regional sports channels. After NBC, Tom was Chairman and CEO of Primedia (NYSE: PRM) which at the time was the leading targeted media company in the US, where he oversaw such diverse properties as New York Magazine, Motor Trend, Seventeen, and Cable World. Tom drove the digital development and online presence of scores of the company’s print properties.
Prior to NBC, Tom was Senior Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance Subcommittee, where he was responsible for drafting a number of communications laws, including the Cable Act of 1984, which established a federal framework to replace a patchwork of local regulatory burdens.
Tom has been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, as well as the Cable Hall of Fame. He is also the winner of Emmy Awards for his contributions to the development of advanced television and advanced advertising. Tom also served for four years as President of the International Television Academy.