JC Sparkman

"Our skill sets were strategically complementary. Over time, for me, the acquisition strategy became one of mine. For JC Sparkman, TCI’s chief of operations, the integration of the acquired cable systems became the specialty. And for Gary and Donne, managing the financials became their expertise. So we were all learning together, in a company that was struggling, in an industry that was changing."

"Half listening to me, Ted waved his hand, swatting away the pesky regulations like a fly in the room. Ted didn’t really want to hear any objections or any questions. He wanted more than anything to leave with a handshake to carry his network to reach all of TCI’s subscribers. With my questions hanging in the air, all eyes were on Ted. Instead of calmly responding to the issues, Ted, in suit and tie, dropped down onto the floor on his hands and knees and started crawling around as if he had dropped something. Groveling on the floor, he crawled over to JC Sparkman, head of operations, and kissed JC’s shoes, telling him, “JC, I’ll kiss your feet if you carry this station! Please carry my channel!” It was quite a show, acted out in dramatic fashion, and he had the entire office hooting, howling, and laughing at the theatrics. He had won the crowd. When Ted figured out he wasn’t walking away with an agreement, though, he made his intention clear: “Well, I’m ready to do it myself if I can’t get anybody to help.” Impressive. Here’s a guy who is unafraid of walking into the cage and poking the tiger. Here was a broadcast station essentially planning to take on the broadcast industry, which had had its boot on the back of the neck of cable operators for years. *Is this guy fearless or crazy?* I thought at the time. *Probably a little bit of both.*"