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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > August > 11 > Entry
Wodlinger out as ME TV head
The president and CEO of ME Television, Austin’s 24-hour music video and live concert network, has resigned, and a former Dell Inc. executive will serve as the interim head of the network.
Connie Wodlinger , who founded ME (for “Music and Entertainment”) Television in 2005, “has some other businesses that she wanted to focus on,” said Kevin Kettler , a former chief technology officer at Dell who will be the interim CEO. Wodlinger could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Kettler, who has been ME-TV’s lead investor, said he has firsthand knowledge of the company’s workings.
As for day-to-day programming, there won’t be a change in what viewers will see, he said.
However, Kettler said, anytime that a company goes through a leadership change, there is a re-evaluation of its operations.
“Certainly, music will be our main focus for all things that we do. But there might be some opportunity to showcase some other things in the Austin region as we look forward,” he said.
The search for a new CEO will begin shortly, Kettler said, and the network also plans to conduct a second round of raising money from private investors.
The company also will set up an external advisory board with the goal of finding people who can help “move the business forward” and promote both the network and the Austin music scene, Kettler said.
Almost one year ago, ME-TV laid off all but a small number of employees. At the time, Wodlinger said, “a skeleton staff will keep the station on-air while we pursue viable options to continue.”
Without giving specifics, Kettler said the network has not returned to pre-layoff levels but said that he would like to add staff.
“You always want to be in a growth business,” he said.
ME-TV airs programming from various musical genres on Time Warner Cable Channel 15. The City of Austin awarded Austin Music Partners the contract to run Channel 15 in 2004. The network was relaunched in October 2005 as ME Television.
Brad Stein , chairman of the Austin Music Commission, described ME-TV’s programming as “very professional” but said the network has yet to expand its audience.
Part of the network’s eight-year contract with the city calls for ME-TV to partner with enough providers to reach 2.5 million people by 2012, Stein said.
According to a network news release, ME-TV programming is broadcast to more than 400,000 cable subscribers.
Stein also said the network has been slow to adjust to the Internet and new forms of reaching viewers, such as online social networks.
But Kettler has a “deft touch for technology, so I think the future of the station will depend on how you merge music and entertainment with technology, and he seems like a good person to take it to the next step, which is essential for its success,” Stein said.
ME-TV has filmed all of its programs in high-definition and has more than 60 hours of content ready to distribute, officials said. That means the station could broadcast in HD; it could also sell content to another station, Kettler said.
Kettler said viewers will see a transformation of the station’s Web site, with more capabilities such as streaming full-motion video on demand.
“We’re excited about it,” he said, adding that the station will be announcing partnerships in the coming weeks.
Comments
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By aratunes
August 12, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this
I invite all these guys to come down to the Vintage lounge Wednesday for a beer. Music by ara. www.aratunes.us
By Stephen
August 12, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
WOXY.com is sharing space with ME which will probably provide some rent money for ME (not 100% sure on that). It will also afford crosspollination possibilities. Lastly, when can I watch ME on Uverse????