The Long View

In a previous life, AT&T's Audience Network was DirecTV's Audience Network and, before that, the 101 Network and was known primarily for saving canceled network series and replaying past hits.

Now, with a name that reflects its broader reach (it used to be available only to DirecTV customers) and bolder ambitions, the network is expanding its original programming. Helping to lead that charge is Chris Long, AT&T's senior vice-president of original content and production.

The exec, who first established himself as a producer within the Fox Sports universe, winning four Emmys in the process, came to AT&T in 2006. When the telecommunications giant merged with DirecTV last year, its Audience Network became available to U-Verse subscribers, giving Long a larger audience with which to share his programming vision.

In its DirecTV days, the Audience Network resurrected critical favorites such as FX's Damages and NBC's Friday Night Lights when they faced cancellation. Now, its roster of originals includes intense dramas like Kingdom, quirky comedies like You Me Her, sports series like The Dan Patrick Show and music specials featuring performers like Peter Frampton.

The shows are meant to "take audiences on a real emotional roller-coaster ride," Long says. "We'll be investing a lot more money over the next few years, but it's not just about writing checks. Talent sees us and says, 'Wow! What they're doing there is kind of refreshing.'"

The process also bucks tradition. "We have a small development team. We move quickly. We don't do pilots. We go straight to series because we're absolutely sure in what we like."

It doesn't hurt that, like an Amazon or Netflix or Hulu, Audience Network isn't ratings-driven. Long can rely on his instincts rather than on focus groups to find shows that he says will give viewers "goosebumps."

"We offer shows that don't just feel like air blowing between viewers' ears, because they offer deep character development."