Media Takes
Where can people see Bloomberg's television programs?
Interesting question. If you go to São Paolo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, we are big. If you stay in a nice hotel, they'll have Bloomberg on. And if you watch basic cable between 5 and 9 in the morning, you can find Bloomberg. The rest of the time you can only get it on direct satellite. We broadcast 24-7 in seven languages around the globe.
Industry watchers have been advising other financial media organizations not to underestimate Bloomberg television.
We have incredible infrastructure and resources–a tremendous capacity to grow. We're going to compete head to head against CNBC someday, and, boy, I'll bet on us. They may have [parent company] General Electric, but they don't have Bloomberg. I think in the future, television will be of far greater significance, and we will be ready to clean CNBC's clock.
How involved is [New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg [the founder and namesake of the company] in the bureau operation?
He still owns 70 percent of the company, but he is totally detached from day-to-day operations. When I called him to tell him I was seriously considering coming to Bloomberg to make sure he wasn't uncomfortable with the idea, his response was: "If we can't get Judy, we'll take you." I've seen him twice since I took this job.
How do you envision the state of the Bloomberg Washington bureau in five years?
That's too far–I'll project out three years. We'll have gone through another presidential election, there will be a new administration, and that's a good time to take stock. My hope and belief is that we'll be turning out even better stuff [and] have more terminal subscribers and greater recognition and presence with a broader audience, whether through newspapers or other avenues.
And you?
I'll still be here as long as Matt Winkler [editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News] still wants me here and I still have the energy. And I think I will. I didn't come over here to retire.
advertisement
