Paris Hilton, Kendra Wilkinson, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, The Real Housewives of NYC and the “Octomom” gather in the Windy City for the Cable Show

By Barb Oates
Follow @ChannelGuide

Paris Hilton was the show stealer at yesterday’s National Cable Television Association’s (NCTA) 2011 cable show, attracting a huge crowd of photographers and fans who wrapped the convention floor halls waiting for her autograph. The polite Hilton greeted each of her fans with a sweet smile and head tilt and then daintily shook their hands and said “Hi, I’m Paris Hilton.” Really? Like we didn’t know that. But that’s her shtick. Hilton playfully signed autographs pretty much obliging to whatever fans asked her to pen and complimented fans as they came through (Hey, she liked my sweater — felt pretty good about that. By the way it was Ann Taylor Loft’s animal print cardigan). Hilton, however, wasn’t fielding questions from the press and this simply was an appearance booking to help promote her current Oxygen series The World According to Paris that airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET. But enough about Paris…

The NCTA show is being held at Chicago’s McCormick Center along Lake Michigan and is attended by cable’s top brass, marketers, networks, software developers and more who converge to exchange ideas and business cards, market their new products and services and secure future business opportunities. The good news for consumers is that the consensus was everyone is heading in the direction where any content will be available in any platform you prefer whenever you want it. So you want to watch ESPN but you’re sitting at an airport waiting for your flight? No problem — watch on your tablet, smart phone or online. You get the idea. While the show’s rich in providing knowledge and insights on the industry in general, it also provided plenty of opportunities for celebrity meet and greets, which made it the perfect place to spend a rainy Wednesday afternoon.

First stop was FOX Sports Network where despite being in Cubs territory, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and second baseman Rickie Weeks signed balls and engaged in light conversation from behind a table for a long line of fans. Which, by the way, my two sons now soooo love my job (thanks TC for sharing!)

Next it was ESPN, where Texas Longhorns basketball coach Rick Barnes was on hand to help promote their newest venture, the launch of Longhorn Network. The HD network will be the only 24-hour television network dedicated to one university and one state. (And, of course, it’s Texas — they’ve always considered themselves bigger and better. Whatever.). Press materials state that the network will air more than 200 live events annually covering all 20 UT sports including football, basketball and baseball, plus studio shows, analysis and original content. You’ll also be able to see Texas high-school sports, UT campus lifestyle (that could be good) and local Austin arts and culture. Texas always has been its own country, so no surprise really that they’ll get a network of their own. Although, only time will tell the appeal and national reach the network will garner. My colleague, a George Mason grad and college basketball fanatic, entertained Coach Barnes by pulling out of his bag (“he just happened to have it along”) a Mason T-shirt to pose with. Barnes was assistant coach at Mason in the early ‘80s. Anyways, great guy (that’s Barnes, not my colleague), I can see why Texas loves him.

ESPN was also hyping it’s new WatchESPN app (similar to HBO GO) and their online service that allows you to watch the network anywhere on any device. Their online service is currently available for Time Warner Cable, Bright House and Verizon customers. If you’re a subscriber to any of these services you can go to espn.go.com and click on “Watch Now.”  You’ll be asked a few questions to verify you’re a cable subscriber, but after that you’re good to go. Tim Connolly, vice president of digital video distribution for Disney/ESPN Media Networks, says that about 2 million people have already downloaded their app. He believes a “slow and steady” rollout wins the race and anticipates other cable operators adding the service soon. For Connolly, having all of ESPN’s content available for every mediums caters to the network’s philosophy of allowing their customers to watch their content on “the best screen the consumer has available.” After all, he adds: “the more content we make available, the more they are watching. We are helping people be better fans and better viewers.”

Checking in at HDNet, the Mark Cuban-owned network, we found Roger Lodge, former host of Blind Date, and “Octomom” Nadya Suleman. Both are involved in HDNet’s new series Celebridate slated to debut in October. The series follows Lodge as he introduces a celebrity to three attractive and interesting non-famous men or women. The celebrity gets to choose one person to date while cameras follow along. Lodge claims the episode with Nadya is a must see. Ah, yeah! Who doesn’t want to see what type of guy would be interested in taking on all her baggage? Yikes!

Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City Sonja Morgan and Ramona Singer were there to promote their show and their respective product lines. Morgan’s got some toaster oven cookbook deal going and Singer has fully rolled out her own wine label. Both were engaging and down to earth, although that’s the part of the show when I got disciplined for trying to ask questions.

The former Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson drew a respective crowd. When fans approached with their bag of more “naughty” mags and posters to get their goddess’ signature, her wranglers quickly stepped in and said “no, no.” The easygoing Kendra was totally cool with it, E! however, wasn’t and told her to stick with the 8×10 glossy that promote her show. By the way, we are giving away our autographed glossy on Facebook! Just like the post for a chance to win!

The adorable Giuliana and Bill Rancic arrived fashionably late. “It wasn’t me,” Bill joked. “We were on Italian time.” The duo spent the longest with their fans, engaging in detailed conversations, multiple photo opps and their loveable Midwestern charm.

Other celebs making it to the Windy City included FOX Sports sportscaster Gus Johnson, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, MSNBC’s Tamron Hall, Steve Doocy from FOX News Channel, stars of IFC’s Portlandia Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, comedian Frank Caliendo, Kelsey Grammer and Connie Nielsen for their new Starz series Boss that debuts in October, Maria Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs, soccer star Cobi Jones, Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Sharp, thoroughbred jockey Chantal Sutherland, FOX News Channel’s Bret Baier, golf pro Nick Faldo, Torchwood stars Eve Myles, Alexa Havins and Arlene Tur; Ghost Hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson; WWE wrestler CM Punk; and more. Oh yeah, Oprah was there, too!