May 21, 2023

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 UDPATE:

Greetings:

It’s been a busy two weeks for the CBS o-and-o news director roster, with TWO jobs filled and ONE opening today as the incumbent moves to a new job with CBS.

Patey

KARI PATEY will be the next Vice President of producer development for the CBS owned stations. She’s been the ND for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul since 2017. Kari will be charged with the recruitment, development and retention of news producers for CBS’s 14 local stations, and will provide training for producers who aspire to be news managers. More on her new job in this news release from CBS.

Kari’s in her second stint at WCCO, first as a morning producer beginning in 1999. She also worked at KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis before spending 12 years at WNBC-TV in New York, where she began as a writer/producer and rose to Assistant News Director.

For a holiday week, it’s been busy. We’ll have a full newsletter sometime this weekend, perhaps on Monday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

As we often say, two UPDATES in one day generally signifies big news, and there’s not much bigger than TWO new network o-and-o news directors in the number TWO market

Perelman

MARINA PERELMAN has been promoted to Vice President of News for KNBC-TV, NBC’s (duh!) o-and-o in Los Angeles. She’s been the Assistant ND there since 2019. She’s also been the Managing Editor and the EP of the 11:00 news at KNBC. She first joined NBC at the network’s San Francisco station, KNTV, where she began as the 11:00 producer and later promoted to executive producer. She’s also worked in Phoenix and Palm Springs, CA,

Gaytan

And MIKE GAYTAN has been named Vice President of News for KVEA-TV, the NBC/Telemundo o-and-o in Los Angeles. Since early last year, Mike has been the VP of News for Telemundo’s KUAN-TV in San Diego. He’s also worked in a number of other markets, as you’ll learn in this news release which covers BOTH his new job and Marina’s promotion.

It’s late. I’m going to bed. No more UPDATES tonight.

But no guarantees about tomorrow.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

For the second consecutive week, CBS hires a new o-and-o news director who won’t have to move. And this time, she won’t even need to change her route to work.

Black

TANYA BLACK has been promoted to VP/News Director for WJZ-TV in Baltimore. She spent 22 years as the managing editor there before becoming director of community impact early last year. Tanya first joined the station 30 years ago as an assignment editor, moved to assignment manager, and then managing editor.

She replaces GAIL BENDING who left in March after almost 32 years as news director.

And if you haven’t already heard, the Tegna-Standard General deal is dead.

We’ve have all the week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Monday, May 22, 2023 UDPATE:

Greetings:

A new Chief Operating Officer for Gray Television, and it’s a former news director!

Breland

SANDY BRELAND will be the next chief operating officer for Gray, replacing BOB SMITH who recently retired. She’s currently the Senior Managing Vice President and first joined Gray when it acquired Raycom Media in 2019. Sandy’s a former GM for stations in New Orleans (WVUE-TV) and Baton Rouge (WAFB-TV), and has been a news director for WWL-TV in New Orleans and KTVK-TV in Phoenix.

Ressler

And one UPDATE about our item in last night’s full newsletter about the news director opening at WBNG-TV in Binghamton, NY. We told you that ASTRID RESSLER was leaving that Gray owned CBS affiliate. What we did not know at the time…and can tell you now…is that she is leaving to join the Gray recruiting team as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. She was ND here for just about one year.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

There are still a lot of news director changes to report this week, though not quite at the pace of previous reports.

THREE ND jobs were filled, including ONE in a top FIVE market. And FOUR jobs opened up, leaving 39 stations on our list of open ND jobs.

TWO of those new openings are highlighted in Paid Help Wanted ads just below.

And we welcome a new advertiser for a new company, SEITZLER STRATEGIES, headed by longtime consultant and researcher BILL SEITZLER. Bill tells me he’s added some local news clients already and hopes to provide services for many different industries as well. Click on his ad just below to learn more.

Just ONE item in Names in the News (send me your news!) and…for the second straight week, no GM changes.

All that and more below.

We’ll see you sometime next weekend, though the Indy 500 may delay our report until Monday.

Newly Named News Directors:

Harris

KTVT/KTXA-TV, Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX…you learned in Thursday’s UPDATE that MEAGAN HARRIS will be the next VP/News Director for the CBS owned duopoly. She’s been the ND at the apparently soon to be shuttered NBCLX, based at NBC’s KXAS-TV in Dallas. She’s a former ND in Jacksonville and worked at another Dallas station and in San Antonio and Sherman, TX. She replaces SCOTT KEENAN who left in March after six months.

KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA…a transfer with Nexstar sends STEVEN SHAW across country to be ND at this NBC/CBS duopoly. He’s been the ND of Nexstar’s WTAJ-TV (CBS) in Altoona, Pa. He’s previously been the Assistant ND for WOWK-TV in Charleston/Huntington, WV, and in Boise, ID. He replaces LISA BURGER who left way back in December in another transfer, to Nexstar’s KTXL-TV (FOX) in Sacramento,

Harvison

KNWA/KFTA-TV, Fayetteville, AR…a NE Arkansas native, JOSH HARVISON returns home to be the next ND for this Nexstar operated NBC/FOX operation. He’s been the ND for Gray’s KNOE-TV in Monroe, LA for just over a year. He’s a former ND for WBNG-TV in Binghamton, NY, and has also worked in Shreveport and Jonesboro, AR. AT KNWA, he replaces LISA BRENCE who left in February after six-plus years as ND and 21 years at the station.

New News Director Openings:

Betts

WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY……BRIANNE BETTS has left this Nexstar owned CBS/CW duopoly after not quite one year as news director. Bri, as she’s known, spent the previous eleven years as the Assistant ND for sister-Nexstar CBS affiliate WCMH-TV in Columbus, OH. Of note: she has a master’s AND law degree from Syracuse. You can learn more about this opportunity by checking out the paid help wanted ad below.

WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA…we told you above that STEVEN SHAW is leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate to become ND for the company’s KSEE/KGPE-TV in Fresno, CA. Steven was here just over three years.

KNOE-TV, Monroe, LA…we also told you above that JOSH HARVISON was leaving this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate to return to Arkansas as ND for KNWA/KFTA-TV in Fayetteville. He was ND here about 15 months.

Ressler

WBNG-TV, Binghamton, NY…this Gray Televsion owned CBS affiliate is looking for a new news director to replace ASTRID RESSLER who is leaving to join the Gray recruiting team, She’s been the ND there for the last year, and first joined the station in 2019 as a producer before being promoted to executive producer and later ND. Her station profile has more. You can learn more about this opportunity by checking out the paid help wanted ad below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:

WIVB-TV is seeking an ambitious News Director with a voracious appetite for news to lead and supervise all aspects of news, weather, and sports programming.

WIVB-TV is stationed between historic downtown Buffalo and beautiful Niagara Falls. To those who are unfamiliar with Western New York, Buffalo may just be another “rising” city. But to all of us at WIVB-TV, we know it’s much more than just chicken wings and beef on weck. It’s the City of Good Neighbors, the Queen City, or simply – home.

From the ever-growing Waterfront development, the changing seasons, wine country, and pro sports (with passionate fans like you’ve never seen before) and the flavorful food, it’s pretty tough to beat the unique, local feel!

Our brand is “We’re 4 Buffalo” and we live it every day with local news coverage by our enthusiastic news team. We offer factual news and locally produced programming with market-wide digital delivery on https://www.wivb.com

A qualified candidate for the News Director position will have a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. Essential to being successful in this position is having a minimum five of years’ experience in news programming production, with at least two years’ experience in a leadership role. Previous experience establishing long-range objectives specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them as well as experience preparing and maintaining departmental budgets are valuable attributes to achieve success in the position.

Click here to apply:

News Director, WBNG-TV, Binghamton, NY:

WBNG is looking for a dynamic newsroom leader to take our team to the next level.

WBNG-TV, the CBS affiliate in Binghamton, NY, seeks a News Director to help guide our news department to new heights of journalistic and ratings success. This is an exciting opportunity to join a great team in one of New York’s most beautiful places to live.

The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing and maintaining market leading standards for newsroom operations and content. Other duties include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating news personnel, as well as preparation and administration of newsroom budgets and capital requests. The News Director is expected to work closely with other department managers to achieve the company’s overall performance goals.

A minimum of 4 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism preferred. Must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues, as well as sound journalistic principles. Must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence, and a burning desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Binghamton, NY, we want to hear from you.

WBNG offers a competitive salary and traditional benefits package.

If you think you’re qualified, want to work with a great group of people and live in a great community, apply online at:

Please apply by clicking here.

WBNG-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Multimedia News Manager, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Multimedia News Manager for the Innovation News Center (INC) to teach students, produce news content, and provide innovative leadership.

News Managers of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community through high-quality news, weather, sports, and information content across existing and emerging multimedia platforms.

The ideal candidate will have effective service as a newscast Producer, Executive Producer, or News Director and experience working in a blended/multiplatform news environment, and especially experience with broadcast & digital platforms.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023

Technical Media Producer, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Technical Media Producer for the Innovation News Center (INC) to mentor students and be directly involved in the production of daily news products.

Technical Media Producers (TMP) of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community.

TMPs direct and/or provide production support for live and pre-recorded WUFT and WRUF programs, including but not limited to news, sports, and weather, for distribution on all media platforms including WUFT-TV/FM, WRUF-TV/FM, WUFT.org, WRUF.com, FPREN, all station social media accounts, and mobile apps. Programs may be in studio or remote productions.
The ideal candidate will have effective service as a Director or Technical Director in a complex news environment and experience using Ross Overdrive automation.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, LA (listed 4/30/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 4/16/23)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listed 5/14/23)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (listed 5/21/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 3/26/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, relisted 4/23/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (Nightside EP, listed 3/26/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 5/21/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 5/14/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 3/26/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 3/26/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 5/14/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 3/26/23)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 5/21/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP listed 4/23/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 3/26/23)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listed 4/23/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 4/23/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/16/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listing revised 5/13/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (listed 5/13/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 5/21/23:

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital News Manager)

Listed 5/7/23:

U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Multimedia News Manager, see ad above!)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Technical News Producer, see ad above!)

Listed 4/30/23:

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/12/23:

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Manager of Enterprise Content)

Names in the News:

SARAH HINES joins KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO (CBS, owned by Mission Broadcasting and operated by Nexstar) as the nightside EP. She’s been a producer for Nexstar’s WREG-TV (CBS) in Memphis for almost two years.

General Manager News and Notes:

For the second consecutive week, as far as I know, no GM or upper management moves this week.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, May 21, 2023:

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

KNBC/KVEA-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, #2120 Universal City, CA 91608
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WJZ-TV 3725 Malden Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06115
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207 (see ad above!)
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St. Dayton, OH 45409
KITV 801 So. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North. Wichita, KS 67219
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WOWT-TV 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha NE 68131
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, Illinois 61265
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
WTAJ-TV 5000 Sixth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, La. 71201
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790 (see ad above!)
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Dr. Sioux City, IA 51108
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Road. Bowling Green, KY 42101
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


May 14, 2023

Thursday, May 18th, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

There’s a new VP/ND at a Dallas o-and-o…and she doesn’t have to move.

Harris

MEAGAN HARRIS will be the next VP/ND for CBS’s KTVT-KTXA-TV in Dallas. She’s currently the news director for NBCLX and is based at NBC’s KXAS-TV in Dallas/Ft.Worth. Don’t know what that is? It’s explained in the CBS news release announcing her hire. She’s a former ND for Tegna’s WTLV/WJXX-TV (NBC) in Jacksonville, FL, and earlier worked for WFAA-TV (ABC) in Dallas. Meagan has also worked in San Antonio and Sherman, TX.

She replaces SCOTT KEENAN who left in March after just six months at the helm.

We’ll be back this weekend with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

SEVEN!

That’s how many new news directors in this week’s report.

TWO in Los Angeles.

TWO at Tegna stations.

Of the seven, THREE are at network o-and-o’s in top 15 markets.

And only TWO new openings, both created by people leaving to take one of the seven jobs that were filled this week

Those changes leave 38 stations on our list of open ND jobs.

There are THREE help wanted ads this week, including one for an ND job in Missouri, and TWO positions at the University of Florida.

After a lot of GM moves last week, to my knowledge, no changes this week.

And a few items in Names in the News: ONE local station is honored with a Peabody, a longtime San Diego independent station is sold, TWO industry veterans weigh in on Sinclair eliminating local news in multiple markets and a few news managers on the move.

All that and more below!

Newly Named News Directors:

Rodriguez

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA…there were TWO new NDs named in Los Angeles this week, including ERICA HILL-RODIGUEZmove to this Nexstar owned CW affiliate. Erica most recently was ND for FOX’s KTTV in Los Angeles, a job she left last June and went unfilled until Wednesday (see below). She was at KTTV for 2 1/2 years, is a former ND at KCPQ-TV in Seattle and also worked in Chicago and Boise. She replaces PETE SAIERS who left KTLA last month after two years as ND.

Gearhart

KTTV-TV, Los Angeles, CA...the long search to replace Erica ended when BOBBI GEARHART’s was named ND for this FOX o-and-o. She’s a longtime vet of the market and rejoins GM STEVE CARLSTON: they worked together at KNBC-TV. Bobbi left KNBC and headed south to be ND at Scripps’ KGTV (ABC) in San Diego, a job she held for eight months. As mentioned, Bobbi filled a job that’s been open for almost a year.

Wilgoren

Speaking of KTTV, I was remiss last week in not reporting the departure of PETE WILGOREN who was the assistant ND there and the interim news director for eleven months after Erica left. Pete posted this note on his Twitter page which tells it all. His last day will be May 24th. Pete’s also worked for another Los Angeles station as well as in Boston.

Moore

WJBK-TV, Detroit, MI…LAURA MOORE moves up to become ND for this FOX o-and-o. A 25 year veteran of the station, she’s been the Assistant ND. Laura replaces her boss, KEVIN ROSEBOROUGH, who retired Friday. Laura joined WJBK in 1998 as a producer, moved up to an EP folks and later her current job as AND. Both Kevin’s note to the staff and GM GREG EASTERLY’s memo on Laura’s promotion are here.

Kevin R.

Kevin first joined WKBK in 1994, coming from The Detroit Free Press where he had been the night city editor and became ND in 2013. Kevin announced his retirement a week ago, citing his desire to help care for his 90 year old mother who had recently suffered (his words, not mine!) a minor heart attack. The station reported on his departure and his farewell party on Friday night.

Travis S.

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX…in the first of two items about new news directors at Tegna stations, TRAVIS SATTIEWHITE has been named ND for this ABC affiliate. Travis is currently the assistant ND for NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford, and has previously worked in Miami, Kansas City, Memphis, and for several stations in his native Houston. Travis replaces CHRISTINA GINN who left for a job an EP for “Banfield” on News Nation.

Waivers

WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA…this Tegna owned CBS affiliate has promoted New Orleans native NICOLE WAIVERS to news director. More in this story from the station’s website. She’s been the executive producer of the 10:00 news, and earlier served as an EP for sister Tegna station WFAA-TV (ABC) in Dallas. Nicole replies KEITH ESPARROS who is retiring after eight years as news director here.

Bonfleur

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA…BRENT BONFLEUR moves within Gray to become the next ND for this CBS affiliate. For almost two years, he’s been the ND of Gray’s WDTV in Bridgeport, WV. Before that, Brent was the assistant ND at KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, where he began as a weekend producer and worked his way up. In Roanoke, he succeeds ERIC WALTERS who is also being promoted within Gray: to GM for KMTV/KSTV in Twin Falls, ID.

Velasco

KSBW-TV, Monterey/Salinas, CA…CASSADY VELASCO has been promoted to news director for this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. She’s been the assistant news director since 2021, was managing editor before that, and first joined the station as the 5:00 producer in 1999. She left for a brief stint as the administrative assistant to former station anchor DINA RUIZ EASTWOOD, but returned in 2008. She replaces JILLIAN O’BRIEN who is moving oversees with her new husband after three years as news director.

New News Director Openings:

Both our new opening this week were created by people leaving for new ND jobs as reported above.

KGTV, San Diego, CA…lost ND BOBBI GEARHART who returned to Los Angeles as ND for KTTV. She was at this ABC affiliate less an a year.

WDTV, Bridgeport, VA…BRENT BONFLEUR is moving with Gray to become ND for WDBJ-TV (CBS) in Roanoke, VA. He’s been here just short of two years and previously was the Assistant ND for KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, where he began as the weekend producer.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO:

KMIZ-TV, Missouri Broadcasters Association 2023 Station of the Year, has an immediate opening for a news director at its location in Columbia. This family-owned operation takes care of its employees, provides them with the resources needed to be successful on the job and still understands the value of doing local news the right way. And it’s all happening in one of the most livable cities in the Midwest.

The ABC 17 News team is a well-oiled machine driven by an aggressive, focused brand. We invest in top tier consulting, research and talent development. The company provides the staff the support to succeed in this competitive market. We need a hands on news director who is crazy about coaching both veteran and young journalists.

Columbia offers a tremendous quality of life as a college town in the heartland. It is also a short drive from Kansas City, St. Louis and Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. There’s a terrific trail system here and tons of options for the active lifestyle. We have the draw of big-time college athletics, the popular culture of world renowned film and music festivals plus the cultural opportunities a major university provides. Dining and nightlife are top notch for a city this size.

The News-Press Gazette Company (NPG) is family-owned with a steep tradition in serving its community through various newspaper and broadcast holdings. It is a diverse company with an eye to the future that includes maintaining its portfolio of 10 television markets. It is large enough to provide its stations the latest technology the industry has to offer but small enough to offer a great degree of autonomy at its individual stations.

Please apply by clicking here.

Multimedia News Manager, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Multimedia News Manager for the Innovation News Center (INC) to teach students, produce news content, and provide innovative leadership.

News Managers of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community through high-quality news, weather, sports, and information content across existing and emerging multimedia platforms.

The ideal candidate will have effective service as a newscast Producer, Executive Producer, or News Director and experience working in a blended/multiplatform news environment, and especially experience with broadcast & digital platforms.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023

Technical Media Producer, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Technical Media Producer for the Innovation News Center (INC) to mentor students and be directly involved in the production of daily news products.

Technical Media Producers (TMP) of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community.

TMPs direct and/or provide production support for live and pre-recorded WUFT and WRUF programs, including but not limited to news, sports, and weather, for distribution on all media platforms including WUFT-TV/FM, WRUF-TV/FM, WUFT.org, WRUF.com, FPREN, all station social media accounts, and mobile apps. Programs may be in studio or remote productions.
The ideal candidate will have effective service as a Director or Technical Director in a complex news environment and experience using Ross Overdrive automation.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, LA (listed 4/30/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 4/16/23)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listed 5/14/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 3/26/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, relisted 4/23/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (Nightside EP, listed 3/26/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 5/14/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 3/26/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 3/26/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 5/14/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 3/26/23)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 2/25/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP listed 4/23/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 3/26/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listed 4/23/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 4/23/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/16/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listing revised 5/13/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (listed 5/13/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 5/7/23:

WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (News and Content Manager)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Multimedia News Manager, see ad above!)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Technical News Producer, see ad above!)

Listed 4/30/23:

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/12/23:

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Manager of Enterprise Content)

Listed 3/5/23:

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital News Manager)

Names in the News:

There’s one less family owned large market station this week after Nexstar announced plans to buy KUSI-TV in San Diego. The price? $35 million. Nexstar already owns San Diego’s FOX affiliate, KSWB-TV. Much more in this nicely detailed story from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Congratulations to GM BILL DALLMAN, News Director STACEY NOGY, and the staff at KARE-TV (Tegna/Minneapolis-St. Paul. I believe they are the only local commercial station to be honoed with a Peabody Award. The complete list of winners can be found here.

Wheatley

We have new details on the departure of STEPHANIE WHEATLEY from her job as news director for Sinclair’s KSNV-TV (NBC) in Las Vegas. This story from the Las Vegas Review-Journal shares that Stephanie has taken a new job with Clark County as a public information officer, in part to (as her note to me that we shared last week said) spend more time with her two young sons. And the station has also grounded…temporarily, it says…its helicopter.

Speaking of Sinclair, TVNewsCheck has opinions from two veteran industry leaders on the company’s recent elimination of local news in several markets. HANK PRICE wonders if the cuts are the ‘canary in the coal mine‘ while EMILY BARR has similar thoughts and worries what happens to the industry if political money goes away.

RYAN WEBB moves from Nightside EP at Nexstar’s WKRN-TV (ABC) in Nashville to Assistant ND. He’s a former ND at Nexstar’s WBTW-TV in Myrtle Beach.

ANGIE MARTINEZ, who’s been an EP for KRGV-TV in Weslaco, TX, for the past three years, has been upped to assistnat news director. She’s been at this ABC affiliate for 13 years.

General Manager News and Notes:

As far as I know, no GM or upper management moves this week.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, May 14, 2023:

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

KNBC/KVEA-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, #2120 Universal City, CA 91608
KTVT/KTXA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WJZ-TV 3725 Malden Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06115
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St. Dayton, OH 45409
KITV 801 So. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North. Wichita, KS 67219
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WOWT-TV 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha NE 68131
KNWA-TV 609 W. Dickson St. Suite 300, Fayetteville AR, 72701
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, Illinois 61265
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr.Yakima, WA 98901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201 (see ad above!)
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Dr. Sioux City, IA 51108
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Road. Bowling Green, KY 42101
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


May 7, 2023

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

For the second day in a row, we have news of a new news director in Los Angeles.

And we have more details about KEVIN ROSEBOROUGH‘s retirement from FOX’s WJBK-TV in Detroit, as well as the name of this successor.

Gearhart

BOBBI GEARHART has been named VP/News Director for KTTV, the FOX o-and-o in Los Angeles. More about Bobbi and her background in this news release. The move reunites her with General Manager STEVE CARLSTON: they worked together at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles. Bobbi is currently the news director for Scripps’ KGTV (ABC) in San Diego, a job she has held since last August.

Bobbi’s hire brings to and end the LONG search for a replacement for ERICA HILL-RODRIGUEZ. We told you last night that Erica…who left KTTV last June…will be the next ND for Nexstar’s KTLA-TV (CW) in Los Angeles.

At KTLA, Erica replaces PETE SAIERS who left last month after two years as news director.

Kevin R.

And we have more on KEVIN ROSEBOROUGH‘s retirement from WJBK-TV (FOX) in Detroit. We have the memo (below) that Kevin sent to the staff last week when he announced his departure, pointing out he wants to help care for his 90 year old mother who suffered a minor (his words, not mine!) heart attack recently He’s a 29 year veteran of the station who’s been news director since 2013. Kevin’s also worked at The Detroit Free-Press as night city editor.

Moore

What we did not know last night…and can tell you now…is that WJBK GM GREG EASTERLY moved quickly to replace Kevin by promoting Assistant News Director LAURA MOORE to be VP/News Director. She’s another longtime WJBK employee who joined the station in 1998 as a producer before moving to EP and her current job as Assistant ND. As promised above, we have combined Kevin’s email AND Greg’s note announcing Laura’s promotion into one document.

I don’t anticipate any more UPDATES this week, but if I was that good at forecasting things I would have better luck in Las Vegas.

We’ll be back this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

TWO large market news director changes in tonight’s UPDATE.

Hill-Rodriguez

ERICA HILL-RODRIGUEZ will be the next news director for Nexstar’s KTLA-TV, the CW affiliate in Los Angeles. As you’ll learn in this staff memo from General Manager JANENE DRAFS, Erica most recently was the ND for KTTV, FOX’s o-and-o in LA, a job she left last June after 2 1/2 years. (Remarkably she has still not yet been replaced there, though rumors are rampant that could happen as early as this week.)

The memo above also mentions that GM Drafs and Erica have competed against each other in two markets. Los Angeles, obviously, and Seattle, when Janene was GM at KOMO-TV and Erica was the ND at KCPQ-TV. Erica has also worked in Chicago and Boise, ID.

At KTLA, Erica replaces PETE SAIERS who left the station last month after two years as news director.

Kevin R.

And in Detroit, it appears that KEVIN ROSEBOROUGH is retiring as VP/News for FOX’s WJBK-TV. I say appears because the only report I have seen comes from this Facebook post from anchor ROOP RAJ. (I’ve emailed both Kevin and GM GREG EASTERLY for more details and will share when I can). Kevin’s a 30 year veteran of the station who’s been news director since 2013. He also worked at The Detroit Free-Press as night city editor.

Clearly that story needs more reporting and hopefully I’ll have those details this weekend, if not before.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Another busy week, with TWO new news directors and TWO stations which have new openigns this week.

42 stations: that’s the number on our list of open ND jobs. Please note that we have removed WGFL-TV in Gainesville, FL, operation from the list since it is the latest Sinclair station to drop local news.

There are FIVE ads this week, including THREE news ones for an ND job in Missouri, and TWO positions at the University of Florida. And we’re pleased to welcome WMVision back as an annual advertiser. Their ad is just below.

There’s an obituary for a Digital Content Manager for a Florida station.

FIVE items about GMs or upper management moves, including FOUR GM changes at Nexstar stations.

And in Names in the News, a new EP in Philadelphia, a new memorial honoring jounalists on the National Mall is a big step closer to happening, CBS drops its CW affiliations at EIGHT big market stations, and a new music package from Stephen Arnold Music, a longtime supporter of this newsletter.

Check it…and all this week’s items…below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Kaplar

WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH…DAVE KAPLAR moves within Gray and returns to his native Ohio as he’s been named ND for this NBC affiliate. He’s been the ND for Gray’s WOWT-TV (NBC) in Omaha. More in this news release from WTVG GM BRAD MOSES. Dave’s a former ND in Altoona, PA and Portland, ME and has worked in Boston, Dallas, and Denver. He replaces MICHAEL BALDWIN who left the station in March after barely one year as ND.

Wordlaw

WNDU-TV, South Bend, IN…our Wednesday UPDATE told you that GARY WORDLAW would be the next ND for this Gray owned NBC affiliate. Most recently with the Black News Channel, Gary’s long background includes ND jobs in Washington, Baltimore, and Baton Rouge, LA, and GM positions in Seattle, New Orleans, Syracuse, and Tallahassee. At WNDU, Gary replaces KENT HARRELL who is moving to Colorado to care for his aging parents.

New News Director Openings:

Wheatley

KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV…STEPHANIE WHEATLEY is stepping down as news director for this Sinclair owned NBC affiliate, a job she’s held since 2018. She filled me on why she’s leaving. Stephanie had been the Assistant ND here for three years before the promotion and had earlier worked for KVVU-TV (FOX) in Las Vegas where she started as a tape editor and worked her way up to executive producer.

WOWT-TV, Omaha, NE…you learned above that DAVE KAPLAR is leaving this NBC affiliate to return to this native Ohio as ND for another NBC affiliate, WTVG-TV in Toledo. Both stations are owned by Gray Television.

And please note the new ad just below for the still open ND job at KMIZ-TV in Columbia, MO.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO:

KMIZ-TV, Missouri Broadcasters Association 2023 Station of the Year, has an immediate opening for a news director at its location in Columbia. This family-owned operation takes care of its employees, provides them with the resources needed to be successful on the job and still understands the value of doing local news the right way. And it’s all happening in one of the most livable cities in the Midwest.

The ABC 17 News team is a well-oiled machine driven by an aggressive, focused brand. We invest in top tier consulting, research and talent development. The company provides the staff the support to succeed in this competitive market. We need a hands on news director who is crazy about coaching both veteran and young journalists.

Columbia offers a tremendous quality of life as a college town in the heartland. It is also a short drive from Kansas City, St. Louis and Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. There’s a terrific trail system here and tons of options for the active lifestyle. We have the draw of big-time college athletics, the popular culture of world renowned film and music festivals plus the cultural opportunities a major university provides. Dining and nightlife are top notch for a city this size.

The News-Press Gazette Company (NPG) is family-owned with a steep tradition in serving its community through various newspaper and broadcast holdings. It is a diverse company with an eye to the future that includes maintaining its portfolio of 10 television markets. It is large enough to provide its stations the latest technology the industry has to offer but small enough to offer a great degree of autonomy at its individual stations.

Please apply by clicking here.

Multimedia News Manager, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Multimedia News Manager for the Innovation News Center (INC) to teach students, produce news content, and provide innovative leadership.

News Managers of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community through high-quality news, weather, sports, and information content across existing and emerging multimedia platforms.

The ideal candidate will have effective service as a newscast Producer, Executive Producer, or News Director and experience working in a blended/multiplatform news environment, and especially experience with broadcast & digital platforms.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023

Technical Media Producer, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in beautiful Gainesville, Florida, seeks a Technical Media Producer for the Innovation News Center (INC) to mentor students and be directly involved in the production of daily news products.

Technical Media Producers (TMP) of the INC must embrace our dual mission which is to prepare UF College of Journalism & Communications students for the workforce through instructional coursework and immersion experiences while serving the greater Gainesville community.

TMPs direct and/or provide production support for live and pre-recorded WUFT and WRUF programs, including but not limited to news, sports, and weather, for distribution on all media platforms including WUFT-TV/FM, WRUF-TV/FM, WUFT.org, WRUF.com, FPREN, all station social media accounts, and mobile apps. Programs may be in studio or remote productions.
The ideal candidate will have effective service as a Director or Technical Director in a complex news environment and experience using Ross Overdrive automation.

The INC is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art professional newsroom at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, which is one of the top communication programs in the country, providing hands-on learning opportunities for more than 400 students each semester. Students work alongside professionals to produce and edit content for seven media properties and companion digital platforms, including the local NPR, PBS, and ESPN affiliates, as well as the Spanish-language news operation of Noticias and the Fresh Take Florida news service.

Click here to learn more and apply:

Posting closes June 2, 2023

Assistant News Director-Mornings, KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, CA:

Be at the center of the biggest news expansion in Los Angeles in decades with the talent and resources to win. KCBS/KCAL is looking for a proven leader with a strong basis in content and execution to oversee the production of eight hours of morning news. The ideal candidate is a current news director in a medium or large market who can plot and execute the strategic big picture, but misses the fun of playing in the sandbox every day.

Responsibilities:

-Coordinating a team of more than three dozen in the planning, producing, newsgathering, and executing of newscasts from 4am-12pm
-Crafting a planning strategy with your team for future stories and guest segments on multiple newscasts and streaming
– Growing and developing producers, associate producers, writers, reporters, and anchors
-Lead all aspects of the aggressive coverage of breaking news while retaining focus on enterprise stories that reflect the communities we serve
-Using data, research, and gut to strategically execute the newscasts
-A champion of brand through content, culture, and community

Learn more about the great opportunity and apply by clicking 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.

Like the cypress knees of the nearby swamps, Baton Rouge is knee-deep in history and activities to keep you busy year-round. Experience Saturday tailgating at LSU or Southern football or hike the trails in one of the 170 public parks available across the city. As a locally owned station, news and programming decisions are made in-house and with viewers and team members at the forefront of business operations.

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

Pre-employment drug screening required. EOE.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, LA (listed 4/30/23, see ad above!)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 4/16/23, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 3/26/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, relisted 4/23/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (Nightside EP, listed 3/26/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 3/26/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 3/26/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 3/26/23)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital EP, listed 4/2/23)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 2/25/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP listed 4/23/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 3/26/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listed 4/23/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 4/23/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/16/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 5/7/23:

WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (News and Content Manager)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Multimedia News Manager, see ad above!)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Technical News Producer, see ad above!)

Listed 4/30/23:

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/12/23:

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Manager of Enterprise Content)

Listed 3/5/23:

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital News Manager)

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program)

Obituary:

Detman

GARY DETMAN, digital content manager for Sinclair’s WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, FL, died in late April from what was called a ‘medical emergency’. He was 53 years old and first joined WPEC almost 20 years ago as a digital content producer. More on Gary, his life, and reaction from his co-workers in this story.

Names in the News:

MARQUES WHITE leaves Fox News to become the new EP for Nexstar’s WPHL-TV in Philadelphia. He began his career on-air before moving to management.

You may not know that CBS owns EIGHT stations that are CW affiliates. But not for long. CBS is turning the stations into independents. And those stations are in some pretty big markets (Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, and others) making up almost 14 percent of the nation’s TV households.

There’s a new memorial coming to the National Mall in Washington that will honor journalists who have died while reporting the news. You can learn more in this Washington Post story. Of note: longtime broadcaster and former RTDNA President BARBARA COCHRAN is President of the Foundation that is behind this initiative.

And congratulations to our friends (and longtime sponsors of this newsletter) at Stephen Arnold Music. They’ve introduced three new music packages. Check them out (and listen to them) by clicking here.

General Manager News and Notes:

Boling

Congratulations to former news director NEAL BOLING who’s been named President of Cowles Media Broadcast. Much more detail about Cowles, its properties, and Neal’s background in this news release. Neal first joined the company as ND for KHQ-TV in Spokane in 2010, and quickly moved up the ranks. He’s a former news director in Johnson City, TN, and has also worked in Tampa.

A flurry of GM changes at Nexstar.

First, in Sacramento, where SCOT CHASTAIN has stepped down as GM for KTXL-TV (FOX). This note from Scot to his staff was pasted on social media.

In Columbus, OH, KEN FREEDMAN is retiring as GM for WCMH-TV (NBC). He’s been the GM there for more than eight year. More from LinkedIn.

After 16+ years as general manager for WJBF-TV (ABC) in Augusta, GA, BILL STEWART is retiring. When you read his LinkedIn page, you’ll see he’s worked at WJBJ longer than that.

Lyons

And because we’re partial to former news directors turned general managers, we have a few more details about the pending retirement of WTRF-TV (Wheeling, WV) GM ROGER LYONS. He’s been a general manager, a news director in three markets, and a reporter, producer, anchor, photographer, assignment editor and assignment manager! Roger sent me this note with more and says he’ll retire at the end of July.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, May 7, 2023:

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

KNBC/KVEA-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, #2120 Universal City, CA 91608
KTLA-TV 5800 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT/KTXA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WJZ-TV 3725 Malden Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06115
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WWL-TV 1024 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St. Dayton, OH 45409
KITV 801 So. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North. Wichita, KS 67219
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Road. Roanoke, VA 24017
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WOWT-TV 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha NE 68131
KNWA-TV 609 W. Dickson St. Suite 300, Fayetteville AR, 72701
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, Illinois 61265
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr.Yakima, WA 98901
KSBW-TV 238 John St. Salinas, CA 93901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201 (see ad above!)
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Dr. Sioux City, IA 51108
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Road. Bowling Green, KY 42101
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


April 30, 2023

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A veteran broadcaster returns to the news director’s office!

Wordlaw

GARY WORDLAW has been named news director for Gray’s WNDU-TV (NBC) in South Bend, IN. Details in this news release from the station. Gary most recently worked for the Black News Channel. Many of you know Gary, who’s been an ND in Washington, Baltimore, and Baton Rouge, LA, and a general manager in Seattle, New Orleans, Syracuse, and Tallahassee. He has also worked in his native Chattanooga.

At WNDU, Gary replaces KENT HARRELL who is leaving the station and is moving to Colorado to care for his aging parents.

The large market ND job I keep teasing is now likely to be announced next week.

If it happens sooner, of course, we’ll let you know.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

A busy week, with TWO top twenty market ND jobs filled, among THREE stations which received new NDs this week. And there are THREE stations with new ND openings, TWO created by inter-company promotions.

That leaves 43 stations on our list of open ND jobs. Please note that we have removed KUSA-TV (Denver/Tegna) from our list of open ND jobs at the request of the company. The job has not been posted and Director of Content TIM RYAN is overseeing the newsroom.

TWO ads this week, including an ad for a big management job at a Los Angeles o-and-o.

We have an obituary for a two time Tupelo news director who died earlier today.

There are TWO new GMs, including ONE who’s currently a news director.

And in Names in the News, Sinclair eliminates local newsrooms in three more markets, NewsNation goes 24/5, a promotion to digital news director for a Florida newswoman, and why on earth is a retired group head (and one time GM of a Chicago o-and-o) buying a small newspaper group?

All that and much more as you read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Evans

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA…LAURA EVANS returns to Seattle as ND for this Cox owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the ND for the company’s WHIO-TV (CBS) in Dayton, OH, but earlier worked for KING-TV in Seattle as its Assistant ND. We have the staff memo from GM PAT NEVIN and a note from Cox’s MARIAN PITTMAN. A bit of an overachiever :), Laura has a bachelor’s, master’s and is working on a doctorate. Her career trajectory is on her Linkedin page. Laura replaces TARA FINESTONE, who left in February after 2 1/2 years as ND.

Megan J.

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO…our Tuesday UPDATE told you that MEGAN JURGEMEYER had been named ND for this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate. This memo details her hiring AND that of a new GM for KMGH, (more on that below). Megan…as you know…had been the ND for Tegna’s KUSA-TV down the street in Denver. At KMGH, she replaces HOLLY GAUNTT who is retiring after six years as ND here and 41 years in our business.

Stone

WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA…KATHY STONE gets her first news director job at this Nexstar owned NBC/FOX duopoly. She’s been the assistant ND for Nexstar’s WKRN-TV (ABC) in Nashville and has also worked for two stations in Lexington, KY. In Norfolk, Kathy replaces SARAH ZAK who left the stations in February after about 18 months as news director.

New News Director Openings:

WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH…we told you above that LAURA EVANS is being promoted with Cox to become ND for KIRO-TV (CBS) in Seattle.

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA…congratulations to ERIC WALTERS  who is being promoted with Gray to become GM for KMVT/KSVT-TV in Twin Falls, ID. Eric’s been ND here for more than three years, and spent about three years as ND for WBTW-TV in Myrtle Beach, SC, where he worked for more than 25 years.

Fickett

KTIV, Sioux City, IA…KIM FICKETT, who joined this Gray owned station last September as digital content manager, and was promoted to news director three months later, is no longer the news director. According to her station bio, she is now the assignment editor. KTIV is an NBC affiliate.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director-Mornings, KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, CA:

Be at the center of the biggest news expansion in Los Angeles in decades with the talent and resources to win. KCBS/KCAL is looking for a proven leader with a strong basis in content and execution to oversee the production of eight hours of morning news. The ideal candidate is a current news director in a medium or large market who can plot and execute the strategic big picture, but misses the fun of playing in the sandbox every day.

Responsibilities:

-Coordinating a team of more than three dozen in the planning, producing, newsgathering, and executing of newscasts from 4am-12pm
-Crafting a planning strategy with your team for future stories and guest segments on multiple newscasts and streaming
– Growing and developing producers, associate producers, writers, reporters, and anchors
-Lead all aspects of the aggressive coverage of breaking news while retaining focus on enterprise stories that reflect the communities we serve
-Using data, research, and gut to strategically execute the newscasts
-A champion of brand through content, culture, and community

Learn more about the great opportunity and apply by clicking 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.

Like the cypress knees of the nearby swamps, Baton Rouge is knee-deep in history and activities to keep you busy year-round. Experience Saturday tailgating at LSU or Southern football or hike the trails in one of the 170 public parks available across the city. As a locally owned station, news and programming decisions are made in-house and with viewers and team members at the forefront of business operations.

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

Pre-employment drug screening required. EOE.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, LA (listed 4/30/23, see ad above!)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 4/16/23, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 3/26/23)
WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA (Morning EP, listed 3/19/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, relisted 4/23/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (Nightside EP, listed 3/26/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 4/23/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/26/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 3/26/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 3/26/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/26/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 3/26/23)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital EP, listed 4/2/23)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 2/25/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 2/19/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP listed 4/23/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 3/26/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listed 4/23/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 4/23/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/16/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 4/30/23:

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/12/23:

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Manager of Enterprise Content)

Listed 3/5/23:

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital News Manager)

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program)

Obituary:

Davidson

ROBERT DAVIDSON, twice a news director for two different stations in Tupelo, MS, died in hospice care today after a long illness. He was only 59 years old. During his career, Robert was ND for WTVA-TV and WCBI-TV in Tupelo, In between he was the ND at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, TN. He retired from WCBI in 2020. More in this obituary from the WTVA website.

Names in the News:

Sinclair continues to eliminate local news in some markets, generally replacing local newscasts with The National Desk. This week, the axe fell in Toledo, as well as in Medford, OR, and Sioux City, IA. These moves come after dramatic cuts in Mobile, AL, and Flint, MI.

Some Nexstar news. The company’s News Nation cable network has now gone 24 hours a day, Monday-Friday, with plans to expand on the weekend. And it opened a new studio in New York. Details from The Hollywood Reporter.

WINK-TV in Ft. Myers, FL, has promoted CAROLYN DOLCIMASCOLO to Digital News Director. She’s been the Managing Editor and EP of Special Projects. More on Carolyn via this note from ND TOM DOERR and her LinkedIn page.

Here in Indianapolis, WISH-TV and its owner Circle City Broadcasting are appealing a federal court ruling dismissing its discrimination suits against DirecTV and DISH Network.

And why would a former group president and top three market network o-and-o GM want to buy a newspaper group? It’s about news and journalism. More here.

General Manager News and Notes:

Joyce

In addition to a new news director (reported above) Scripps’ KMGH-TV in Denver got a new general manager this week, as BRIAN JOYCE returned to this ABC affiliate. Brian’s been the GM for Scripps’ KPAX-TV in Missoula, MT but previously served as sales manager at KMGH and, earlier in his career, was a sports reporter. He replaces DEAN LITTLETON who’s been promoted to Senior VP of Local Media overseeing all Scripps local stations.

Walters

And…for those of you with short memories…we told you above that ERIC WALTERS is the new GM for Gray’s KMVT/KSVT-TV in Twin Falls, ID, Eric’s currently the news director for Gray’s WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, VA, a job he’s held since early 2020.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 30, 2023:

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

KNBC/KVEA-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, #2120 Universal City, CA 91608
KTLA-TV 5800 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT/KTXA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WJZ-TV 3725 Malden Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06115
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WWL-TV 1024 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St. Dayton, OH 45409
KITV 801 So. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North. Wichita, KS 67219
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Road. Roanoke, VA 24017
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607
KNWA-TV 609 W. Dickson St. Suite 300, Fayetteville AR, 72701
WNDU-TV 54516 Indiana State Route 933. South Bend, IN 46637
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, Illinois 61265
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr.Yakima, WA 98901
KSBW-TV 238 John St. Salinas, CA 93901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Dr. Sioux City, IA 51108
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Road. Bowling Green, KY 42101
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station