Naperville, Ill., November, 24, 2008 — Today the Cable Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) identified market forces other than the economy that are shaping the industry's compensation practices. CTHRA's insight is based on data collected from 59 companies, including cable operators, programmers and broadcast networks, who participated in CTHRA's 2008 Annual Compensation Surveys conducted by The Croner Company.
Advanced services and acquisitions impact operators' pay practices
CTHRA's research revealed four major business strategies that are creating compensation pressures in emerging job families.
- The growth of Internet and telephony deployment has increased the demand for advanced services skills and created compensation pressure on internal systems engineering and Internet Protocol (IP) and telephony positions.
- A greater focus on commercial customers has challenged several MSOs in structuring appropriate incentives and rewards for commercial sales and installation project management.
- Several MSOs have created or expanded their own programming channels, such as sports channels, resulting in a nationwide labor market competition for talent in the areas of programming, program acquisitions and production.
- Acquisitions are also playing a part. Several MSOs who acquired companies that provide online and commercial business services experienced compensation dislocations which placed pressure internally on existing, related positions.
Multi-media means more complexity for content providers
CTHRA found that programmers and broadcast networks experience a compounded effect on compensation when they morph into multi-media entities that produce content for television, online, mobile phones and print media. First, they must add several new positions to their ranks. Then, in order to fill the positions with experienced personnel, they must compete against mobile and online companies for talent. To top it off, their advertising sales compensation models require revamping to account for the different media forms.
It is not surprising that many programmers and broadcast networks struggle to develop and acquire the skill sets needed to sell advertising across multi-media platforms.
Sectors differ on performance-based practices
While common among programmers and broadcast networks, differentiation in bonus awards and salary increases based on performance continued to be minimal among MSOs. Instead, most MSO employees receive similar size salary adjustments, and, when applicable, bonus awards.
And two become one
CTHRA also determined that digital broadcast platforms are blurring technical operations and information technology (IT) roles, and some companies are merging these functions into a single organizational unit.
2009 Compensation Surveys
CTHRA is currently gathering feedback from its 2008 survey participants in order to shape the scope of CTHRA's 2009 Compensation Surveys. Companies interested in participating in 2009 should contact The Croner Company at (415) 485-5543.
Media Contact: Melissa A. Hicks, Mosaic Marketing, 484.888.6766
About CTHRA
The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) is the premier human capital resource for the industry and a growing nonprofit organization with 1,600 members spanning 100 companies. CTHRA provides industry-specific benchmarks, information and resources, as well as networking and educational opportunities. Its groundbreaking initiatives include employee benefits, compensation and human capital metrics surveys and its annual symposium. For more information, visit www.cthra.com.
