To Be Presented During 2026 Cable Hall of Fame Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2025
DENVER – The Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center announced today that Thomas M. Rutledge, Director Emeritus – Former President and CEO, Charter Communications, will be honored as the 2026 Bresnan Award recipient. The award recognizes the late William J. Bresnan, founder and chairman of Bresnan Communications and longtime chairman of the board of the Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. The award will be presented at the 29th annual Cable Hall of Fame celebration, April 23, 2026, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
“Tom is a true steward of our industry, leading three of the most preeminent and influential connectivity companies of the modern generation,” said Michael Willner, Chairman and CEO of Penthera Partners and Chairman of the Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center’s Board of Directors. “It is so special for me to see my close friend receive this peer recognition from our colleagues in the industry. I know first-hand how Tom’s commitment to philanthropy and giving back is truly remarkable. It is an honor to recognize him with the 2026 Bresnan Ethics in Business Award.”
Rutledge, Director Emeritus of Charter Communications, retired as President and CEO of Charter Communications in 2022, then served as Executive Chairman of the Company and its Board of Directors through November of 2023. He maintained oversight of Charter’s Government Affairs during that time and provided his guidance and expertise to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Under Rutledge’s leadership, Charter completed mergers with Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Optimum West — more than tripling the size of the company. In addition, the company established an all-digital cable TV and streaming video platform, gigabit broadband connections and a competitive mobile offering across its entire service area.
Prior to becoming CEO of Charter in 2012, Rutledge served as COO of Cablevision Systems, where he oversaw the company’s cable television business; Rainbow Media, the company’s national programming business, which included the AMC, IFC, Sundance TV and WEtv networks; Clearview Cinemas and Newsday.
He began his career at American Television and Communications (ATC) in 1977, a predecessor of Time Warner Cable, as a manager trainee where he served in a series of progressively larger leadership roles, eventually becoming President of Time Warner Cable in 2001.
Rutledge previously served as Chairman of both CableLabs and the NCTA Board – The Internet & Television Association Boards. He currently serves on the board of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. In 2011, he received the NCTA Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership, the cable industry’s highest honor, and is a member of the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame as well as a 2009 Cable Hall of Fame honoree.
“Throughout his career, Tom’s leadership was grounded in ethics, community, and service,” said Diane Christman, President and CEO, Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. “His work and dedication to ethics have strengthened our industry, and we are pleased to honor him with this year’s Bresnan Ethics in Business Award.”
The Bresnan Ethics in Business Award was created to honor outstanding men and women in the cable industry who best exemplify Bill Bresnan’s longstanding commitment to ethics in business, and demonstrating societal, community, and philanthropic engagement.
The 29th annual Cable Hall of Fame will be held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on April 23, 2026.
For more information on the celebration and to secure sponsorships, visit www.cablehalloffame.com, or call 720-502-7513.
About Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center
Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center is a modern hub for leadership development, education, and collaboration. Here, leaders come together—in person, online, and within organizations—to exchange ideas and advance innovation. An educational nonprofit based in Denver, Colorado, Syndeo Institute is home to Intrapreneurship Academy, a series of intensive leadership and innovation courses for connectivity, media, entertainment, and technology industry standouts. Syndeo Institute celebrates the contributions of industry trailblazers through the Cable Hall of Fame and Barco Library––the world’s largest collection of industry archives, historical objects, and oral histories.
Visit syndeoinstitute.org for more information.
About The Cable Hall of Fame Celebration
The industry’s best networking event, the Cable Hall of Fame celebrates the most innovative and influential leaders in the connectivity, content, and entertainment business. Since 1998 the event has recognized the top leaders and innovators for exceptional dedication to the industry, and to its people. One of the industry’s most prestigious and exclusive honors, inductees are selected from a large group of nominees by a committee of peers and leaders. The official 2026 Cable Hall of Fame hashtag is #CableHOF2026.
For more information, visit www.cablehalloffame.com or call 720-502-7513
# # #
Media Contact
Ally Koenig
AKoenig@syndeoinstitute.org
720-502-7514
View/download Press Release PDF
