Distant Signals: How Cable TV Changed the World of Telecommunications

Southwick, special correspondent for Cable World magazine and long time journalist for the cable industry, examines the world of cable beginning with the pioneers of the industry in the 1950s, and following its rise through the modern digital explosion. Sprinkled throughout with b&w photographs of cable professionals and personalities, this book covers topics such as regulation and satellite TV through the voices and memories of those in the business. Lack of index, bibliography, and references limits this book's effectiveness. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Thomas P. Southwick has over 20 years of leadership experience in the cable and television industry. From 1981-1988 he served as managing editor of Multichannel News, the weekly newspaper for the cable television industry. In 1988, in partnership with Paul Kagan Associates, he founed Cable World magazine, serving as its publisher until it was purchased in 1994 by Cowles Business Media. Currently Southwick is a special correspondent for Cable World.

Mr. Southwick graduated in 1971 with an honors degree in history from Harvard College where he served as Executive Editor of the Harvard Crimson. He worked on the McGovern for President campaign in 1971 and 1972 and for the Berkshire Eagle newspaper in Pittsfield, Mass. He also worked for the Griffin-Larrabee new bureau in Washington, DC, and for Congressional Quarterly magazine. From 1977-1980, he served as press secretary to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass) and to the Kennedy for President campaign.