As executive vice president of engineering and information technology, Jim Blackley oversees Charter Communications’s advanced engineering team. He works with product and network management to turn vision into reality, designing, certifying and implementing next-generation services and technology solutions for more than 6 million residential and business customers in 28 states. Thanks to Blackley’s leadership, Charter is at the forefront of introducing innovative video, Internet and voice solutions. His work has also positioned the company as a leader in deploying technology to deliver highly capable cloud-based products and services.
Blackley has been instrumental in the development and launch of the Charter TV app, the cloud-based Spectrum Guide, and the completion of Charter’s move to a 100% all-digital network. Most recently, he led the development of the Charter Worldbox, a smaller, less expensive and more capable set-top box equipped with Charter’s downloadable security solution. The box can be sourced from multiple vendors, and is interoperable with all legacy video platforms.
The NCTA is honoring Blackley with the Vanguard Award for Science and Technology, recognizing those who play a significant role in product improvement, as well as in the design and development of engineering techniques.
Blackley joined Charter in 2012 with an extensive background and much expertise. When he came on board, Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said, “Jim’s experience spearheading the rollout of industry-leading, innovative cable and Internet solutions will prove invaluable as Charter maximizes the full potential of our network architecture.”
Before joining Charter, Blackley oversaw Cablevision’s engineering and technology, enterprise IT and e-media departments. He was with Cablevision for 16 years, most recently as executive vice president for corporate engineering and technology. At Cablevision, he played a key role in many first-time cable industry deployments, including the network DVR service and the industry’s first industrial grade, outside the home WiFi service, as well as the first downloadable security system for set-top boxes.
Fun Fact:
Before he was a cable guy, Blackley designed software and systems with evolving development and technology with Royal Insurance, DTC, Long Island Lighting Company, Con Edison and AIG.
