Cable Programming Is Just Aces in Her Book

Speaking for many people and organizations who are trashed by nameless, faceless staff writers and contributors, I am grateful the Los Angeles Times provides a forum for rebuttal. My letter responds to an item in your Nov. 11 In the Know column (“Sure, They’re Aces, but Does Anyone Care?”).

As executive director for the National Academy of Cable Programming, I can assure your writer-contributor that the academy is more than proud of the caliber of nominations, winners and ceremonies for the annual CableACE Awards. What you will see reflected within the CableACE Awards is terrific programming from the Jewish Television Network, Comedy Central, Ovation, Home & Garden Television and the Learning Channel--just to name a few examples. The CableACE Awards honor the best of television programming that genuinely reflects the broad diversity of life in America today, the wonderful medley of varied cultures, styles, interests, pains and passions.

Your writer-contributor concludes that the CableACE Awards are “irrelevant.” This can only underline an extraordinarily shallow judgment that stems from the most puerile assessment of the product of an industry that is intrinsic not only to the city for which he writes, but intrinsic to the culture of the 21st century. Your writer-contributor has casually flicked off as “irrelevant” the work product of tens of thousands of individuals who earn a living, care about their work and genuinely believe that their product is entertaining, educational, reflective, newsy, searching--any adjective but “irrelevant.”

Most important, we stand by what we do. Our names are on the product. And we’re proud of it not just this year, but in many, many more years to come.

BARBARA YORK

Executive Director

National Academy of

Cable Programming

Los Angeles