HBO's CIO Airs Strategies for IT Success and Developing Next-Gen IT Leaders

CIO — Those of us of a certain age remember the early days of HBO, launched in 1972, when paying for TV was a novel idea. How quaint that seems in today's always-on, always connected world of three -- or is that four? -- screens (computer, television, smart phone, tablet). The pioneering movie channel is now an originator of top-shelf content like Boardwalk Empire, Curb Your Enthusiasm and (personal favorite) Deadwood that is consumed on demand on virtually any device by viewers around the world.

In this installment of the IDG Enterprise CIO Interview Series, Gabriel spoke with Chief Content Officer John Gallant about why it's vital for CIOs to not only understand but foresee how their businesses and customers are changing, and why professional development -- particularly around his key 'triangle' roles -- is critical to IT success. He also shared his passionate views on how business, academia and government need to work together better to ensure the development of the next generation of IT leaders and strong job growth.

CIO — Those of us of a certain age remember the early days of HBO, launched in 1972, when paying for TV was a novel idea. How quaint that seems in today's always-on, always connected world of three -- or is that four? -- screens (computer, television, smart phone, tablet). The pioneering movie channel is now an originator of top-shelf content like Boardwalk Empire, Curb Your Enthusiasm and (personal favorite) Deadwood that is consumed on demand on virtually any device by viewers around the world.

In this installment of the IDG Enterprise CIO Interview Series, Gabriel spoke with Chief Content Officer John Gallant about why it's vital for CIOs to not only understand but foresee how their businesses and customers are changing, and why professional development -- particularly around his key 'triangle' roles -- is critical to IT success. He also shared his passionate views on how business, academia and government need to work together better to ensure the development of the next generation of IT leaders and strong job growth.

Gabriel is a member of the CIO Executive Council -- IDG Enterprise's peer-based global community of leading CIOs. For more information on the Council click here .

Tech Titans Talk: The IDG Enterprise Interview Series

Q: Let's begin by talking about the business opportunities that HBO is embracing today. How is the landscape changing and how is HBO taking advantage of these transitions?

A: HBO's previous business model was what primarily is called linear television. Basically, we broadcast channels out to our affiliates, the cable companies -- and now the telcos and the satellite companies -- and they get rebroadcast. It's a very scalable business because we send our signal to a few and they send that to many.

About five years ago that started to change with respect to on-demand digital distribution, also called non-linear distribution, which comprises a few forms: Electronic sell-through, like iTunes or Amazon; subscription video on demand, like HBO On Demand, where you can watch a show over TV when you'd like to as opposed to waiting for the broadcast, and similar models for Internet video on demand, like HBO GO or Xfinity.