March 17, 2024

Sunday Mar 17, 2024

Monday, March 18, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

One of there longest tenured news directors in a large market will retire at the end of May.

Prywitch

AUDREY PRYWITCH is stepping down as ND for Nexstar’s KTVI/KPLR-TV (FOX/CW) in St. Louis. She’s been the ND there for the last 16 years, and first joined KTVI in 2001 as the Assistant ND. General Manager KURT KRUEGER shared the news with the staff with this morning’s email. Audrey earlier worked for KMOV-TV in St. Louis and KFMB-TV in San Diego, as well as in Miami, Cincinnati, and West Palm Beach.

Her departure means both of Nexstar’s two big markets inMissouri have openings: You learned last week that SEAN McNAMARA is leaving WDAF-TV (FOX) in Kansas City to take over as ND for Nexstar’s Denver duopoly, KDVR/KWGN-TV.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Another week with lots of news.

There are THREE ND openings.

And there are TWO new NDs to tell you about.

35 stations remain on our list of openings, with ONE of those openings among our FIVE Paid Help Wanted ads. We have new ads this week for a position at CNN NewsSource and for an Assistant ND job in Louisiana.

I’m told that longtime ABC NewsOne executive DON DUNPHY died this weekend but I haven’t been able to find any information on that online. When I do, of course, we’ll share it.

We do have an obituary for a former group head and major market GM, and the eulogy given yesterday at TOM BECHERER’s funeral in Louisville.

There’s a GM opening in Houston, two new news managers at stations in Orlando and Las Vegas (and one of those is a former Orlando news director), and plans for a DC memorial to fallen journalists take a step forward.

And we have links to TWO stories from TVNewsCheck.com, including a veteran manager who says many stations will actually LOSE money in 2025.

Newly Named News Directors:

McNamara

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO…SEAN McNAMARA moves from one Nexstar station to another as he’ll be the next news director for this Fox/CW duopoly. He’s held the same job at WDAF-TV (also FOX) in Kansas City for the past 4 1/2 years. His LinkedIn page has his full career background. Sean replaces BRIAN GREGORY who left after six years here to become GM for Tegna’s WVEC-TV (ABC) in Norfolk,VA.

Gourley

WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…another Nexstar station, another new ND as PAUL GOURLEY takes over. Paul most recently was the AND at WJLA-TV in Washington, DC. He replaces ERIC NAZARENUS who left to become ND for WFMZ-TV in Allentown, PA. WBRE (NBC) is owned by Nexstar, which provides services to Mission Broadcasting’s WYOU (CBS).

Talent Training Workshop

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
THE OMNI HOTEL-LAS COLINAS, IRVING TEXAS

We’re hosting a high energy, interactive workshop to help you or your team maximize storytelling impact and enhance viewer connection. Work with a team of experienced talent development experts to expand on-air performance and delivery, and off-air communication skills.

BONUS: All participants are given direct access to their workshop leaders for one month following the workshop for questions and support via email, texts, phone and video conferencing.

Great communication starts in the newsroom- let’s energize your team not newsroom leaders and invigorate the vision for your newscasts.

Maximum enrollment is 25. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Have a question about the event or would like to speak with our performance strategists on the agenda?

Email Gary Brown to set up a call and learn more.

Early bird registration: $495.00
After March 31st: $550.00

To Register: www.talentdynamics.com/dallas-workshop

New News Director Openings:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…this Tegna owned NBC affiliate is adding a news director who will report to Director of Content CAROL FOWLER.

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO……you learned above that SEAN McNAMARA is leaving this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate to head west on I-70 to Denver, where he’ll be the next ND for Nexstar’s KDVR/KWGN-TV. He’d been there more than 4 1/2 years.

Rosengard

WTIC-TV, Hartford CT…DANA ROSENGARD is leaving this Tegna owned FOX affiliate after less than a year as ND and less than two years at the station, where he started as the Assistant ND. He told the staff he may return to a college classroom: he’s alternated between stations and schools for much of his career, as you’ll learn when you check out his LinkedIn page.

One update: We reported last week that REBECCA JOHNSON is leaving KESQ-TV in Palm Springs, CA, but did not know why. We’ve since learned she’s moving to the East Coast to be closer to family.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Senior Director, CNN NewsSource, Sales and Affiliate Relations:

CNN NEWSOURCE SEEKS A SALES AND AFFILIATE RELATIONS SENIOR DIRECTOR.

Our new team member will focus on helping our local news affiliates tell their stories, leading new business generation and account service. Every great story hW

Check out the details here!

Assistant News Director, WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA:

WBRZ is seeking an innovative, energetic newsroom leader to join the journalism team as Assistant News Director.

This position mentors and coaches young journalists and works closely with MMJs and reporters on daily assignments and investigations. Previous experience as a reporter/MMJ or anchor is helpful.

This is a great opening for a reporter who is looking to move into a newsroom manager role. WBRZ owns investigative journalism and breaking news. This newsroom thrives on urgency.

Catapult your career by joining the WBRZ News management team. WBRZ prides itself on being authentically local and is the area’s only locally owned and operated TV news station. It has been so since signing on in 1955.

Send resume, brief cover letter and an outline of your news philosophy to Letitia Walker, Director of News, via email to lwalker@wbrz.com or mail to WBRZ-TV, P.O. Box 2906, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Pre-employment drug screening required. EOE.

Station Manager, KXXV/KRHD-TV, Waco/Bryan, TX:

KXXV/KRHD, the Scripps ABC stations in Waco, and Bryan, Texas, is searching for a Station Manager to lead local operations.

The Station Manager will report into and collaborate with the Regional VP/GM to oversee local market operations and execute local media strategic initiatives in an assigned station. Oversee department head leaders and manage day-to-day operations of the station while serving as a functional leader in own area of expertise.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Lead and implement the local media strategic plan, including the content & brand strategy, for assigned station.

Act as co-leader in generating ratings and revenue, including developing strategic plans and operational plans for the station’s growth in multi-platform content delivery and revenue generation.

In partnership with the Regional VP/GM, support development of and ensure responsible financial stewardship to the station operating and capital expense budgets.

Continue to serve as the leader and subject matter expert for one of the station’s functional areas, while overseeing a team of department head leaders of other functional areas.

Lead a culture consistent with Scripps values, with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and developing employees at all levels.

Responsible for all aspects of financial statements and ensuring station compliance with Scripps policies.

Enforcing all FCC, EEO, SOX and other appropriate rules and regulations.

Other duties as may be assigned.

Apply Here:

News Director, KESQ-TV, Palm Springs, CA:

A rare opportunity has come up to lead the news team for the top TV station group in the Palm Springs market, Gulf California Broadcast Company, a division of News Press and Gazette.

KESQ NewsChannel 3 and its sister stations KPSP CBS Local 2, KDFX Fox 11 and KUNA Telemundo 15 is seeking a News Director for its multi-language newscasts. The person who will take over this operation will work with a talented team of 50, many of whom have much local experience in the market.

We’re seeking an extraordinary journalist with experience in television newsroom productions – broadcast and digital – who excels with both breaking news opportunities and in-depth stories.

The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage and work closely with the General Manager and other Department Managers on long-range planning, special news coverage and station projects.

Pay Range: $110k-$140k annually (includes bonus). Based on experience.

Aside from living and working in the beautiful Coachella Valley, Gulf California Broadcast Company offers employees a wide range of benefits consisting of medical, dental, vision, life and disability, holidays, PTO, and a generous 401k plan.

To learn more or apply online, click here.

All applicants must apply through the website. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and drug screenings. Finalists must furnish evidence of employment authorization and identification.

Gulf California Broadcast Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Senior Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

The WINK Senior Executive Producer will oversee the development and training of producers and Executive Producers at Southwest Florida’s leading news operation.

WINK is looking for a leader capable of teaching and mentoring producers, as well as developing Executive Producers on our dayside team. Passion is important for this role, but more important is a sense of purpose.

The top candidate will be someone who demonstrates the ability to lead and teach. Creativity, strong news judgment, superb writing skills and excellent showcasing and production skills are a must.

The Sr. EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product, which includes Executive Producers, Producers and Associate Producers.

Integrating social media into the newscasts is an emerging growth area in which the Sr. EP must embrace and lead by example. The Sr. EP must be able to step in and actually produce a newscast. The Sr. EP is the chief advocate for the practical execution of research strategies designed to meet audience expectations. This senior leadership position will help lead a team of experienced journalists that produce more than 70 hours of local news a week.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Southwest Florida is often praised as being one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world with miles of white-sand beaches and a dynamic community. Broadcast Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are a drug-free and smoke-free environment.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WRC-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/10/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 2/25/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 2/25/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 3/15/24)
WDCA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/15/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 3/15/24)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/3/24)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/24/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 3/15/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 2/25/24)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 2/5/24)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 3/15/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 3/15/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 3/3/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 2/25/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 3/15/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 3/15/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listed 3/10/24, see ad above!)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 2/18/24)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 2/25/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/3/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, listed 2/25/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 3/17/24)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 3/17/24)

SciLine has an exciting media briefing, and several 1-on-1, Zoom interview opportunities with scientific experts over the next few weeks. Be sure to sign up and tell your colleagues on these beats.

SciLine Media Briefing:

2024 solar eclipse: science and story ideas

Tuesday, March 26 (3-4 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

On April 8, thirteen U.S. states will experience a total sola r eclipse—a chance to observe the moon passing in front of the sun, blocking its face from view. SciLine’s next media briefing will cover need-to-know essentials for reporters preparing their eclipse coverage, including what scientists can learn from eclipses, how people can view them safely, effects for birds and other animals, and the social science behind why these types of celestial events are so awe-inducing. Three scientists will make brief presentations and then take reporter questions on the record. SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate the briefing.

Dr. Shannon Schmoll, Michigan State University
Dr. Andrew Farnsworth, Cornell University
Dr. Paul Piff, UC Irvine

REGISTER NOW

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/17/24:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Director of Special Projects)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)

Relisted 3/15/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/10/24:

KXXV/KRHD-TV. Waco/Bryan, TX (Station Manager, see ad above!)

Listed 3/3/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Operations Manager)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituaries:

Boaz

JAMES BOAZ died February 28th at the age of 90. He covered a lot of places during his career, including heading the Paramount Televsion Stations Group. He earlier served as a GM in Philadelphia and Houston, a station manager in Washington, and was part of the team that launched WXXA-TV in Albany, NY. Much more details about his rise from humble beginnings in this obituary.

Becherer

Louisville anchor JOHN BOEL gave a eulogy yesterday (March 16 in Louisville) at the funeral for longtime newsman TOM BECHERER. As you know, Tom died March 2nd. He was 84. John posted his eulogy on his Facebook page. If you take a minute to read it, you’ll see why Tom was so beloved by his many friends and co-workers.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Hyvonen

Former Cincinnati News Director STEVE HYVONEN is returning to Florida, this time as the Managing Editor for Cox Media’s WFTV (ABC). He’s a former ND at WKMG-TV in Orlando, among other places . We told you a few weeks ago that Steve was leaving Gray’s WXIX-TV (FOX) for a soon to be announced new opportunity. Cincinnati columnist JOHN KIESEWETTER has more on Steve’s new job and his impact in The Queen City.

Gray’s KVVU-TV (FOX) in Las Vegas has a new Assistant News Director. It’s JAFFA KING, who’s spent the last 2+ years as an EP for Cox Media’s KIRO-TV (CBS) in Seattle. She’s also worked in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Desert, CA.

Plans for the Fallen Journalists Memorial in Washington have taken another step forward. A Chicago based architecture firm has been chosen to design the Memorial, which will be build on The National Mall.

Finally, two columns of note from TVNewcheck.com:

Longtime GM and consultant HANK PRICE observes that some local stations may actually LOSE money in 2025, something unheard of in the past.

And former Scripps news executive SEAN McLAUGHLIN has some thoughts about the important job of improving local news content. While his suggestions are worthy, I won’t be holding my breath waiting for stations to enact them.

General Manager News and Notes:

Springer

KHOU-TV (Houston/Tegna/CBS) General Manager BOBBY SPRINGER has left the station after more than five years as GM. He earlier spent more than 15 years at sister Tegna-station KUSA-TV in Denver.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 17, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37228
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit Kansas City, MO 64108
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WXIX-TV 635 W 7th. Cincinnati, OH 45944
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WTOC-TV 1511 Chatham Center Dr. Savannah, GA 31405
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KESQ-TV 31276 Dunham Way Thousand Palms, CA 92276 (see ad above!)
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
KPLC-TV, 320 Division St., Lake Charles, LA 70601
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

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