Hearst Television laid off dozens of employees last week from its streaming service Very Local, according to the Penske showbiz trades.

The Very Local platform, which offers a blend of live news, weather and original series, has faced increasingly tougher competition from fellow streaming services in recent years.

Also Read: Hearst Media Production Group Licenses More Content to Samsung TV Plus

Traditionally, local TV stations have relied on advertising and local programming to attract customers. Now, many viewers opt for free streaming services like Tubi and Spectrum News Plus, which offer local news for free, often with a wider range of content.

Very Local, which launched in 2021, aimed to cater to local audiences and connect viewers through live news and original content from Hearst and its stations.

But despite offering 24-hour access to local news across 26 U.S. media markets, Very Local has struggled to gain footing in a competitive streaming landscape.

A representative from Hearst was not immediately available for confirmation and comment. 

Patrick Paolantonio, anchor at WISN Milwaukee, is departing the station at the end of July. He joined the station, part of Hearst Television, in 2002 as a reporter. He anchors 5, 6 and 10 p.m. weekday news. 

On Facebook, Paolantonio said the decision is a family one. “I’m looking for more time with my wife and children,” he said. “We’re currently on opposite schedules and time together is limited, especially during the school year. As much as I love what I do, kids grow up fast and moments can’t be replaced. I’m looking forward to being around for more of those moments, like conversations at the dinner table, helping with homework and sports.”

He has not shared what he will do next.

Jan Wade, WISN president and general manager, thanked Paolantonio in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We certainly appreciate Patrick and all of his many contributions over more than 22 years of service to WISN 12 News,” Wade told the newspaper. “We wish him nothing but the best, and thank him for all of his contributions."

Paolantonio spent a dozen years as co-anchor of WISN’s 12 News This Morning, and shifted to early evenings and late news in 2015. 

WISN noted how Paolantonio has covered the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, Pope Francis’ visit to Congress and the election of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as House speaker, along with the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA championship run in 2021.

In 2019, he was part of the team that put together the Emmy-nominated documentary Honor Flight 50: A Mission of Thanks. 

TV Spy previously reported Paolantonio’s exit. 

Growing up in Vermont, Paolantonio worked at WOLO Columbia (SC) before arriving in Milwaukee. 

“From the day I walked through the door 22 years ago, this community and station made me feel right at home,” the anchor said on Facebook. “I’m forever grateful for the support of our viewers over the years and the many opportunities at WISN 12. I can’t thank you enough for your trust and loyalty.”

WISN is the ABC affiliate in the No. 38 Nielsen DMA. 

KMBC Kansas City said it plans to launch a weekly local sports program KMBC 9 Sports Sunday which will air at 10:30 p.m. starting August 4.

The Hearst Television-owned station said it hired Taylor Kauffman as sports reporter/anchor. Kauffman grew up in K.C. and interned at the station. Most recently, she was with Nexstar Media Group’s WIAT Birmingham, Alabama.

“With the Chiefs, Royals, Current, Sporting, Mavericks and college and high school sports, there is no shortage of great stories to cover locally,” KMBC-KCWE president and general manager Justin Antoniotti said. “KMBC 9 Sports Sunday will be home for the best sports journalism in Kansas City year-round.”

The new show will feature analysis, interviews and coverage of events important to Kansas City sports fans, the station said. 

“We are extremely excited for the homecoming of Taylor Kauffman. She brings a wealth of big-time sports coverage experience with her,” KMBC sports director Len Jennings said. “As the KMBC 9 Sports department expands, so does our commitment to providing the best sports coverage in Kansas City. From Super Bowls to the World Cup in 2026, the eyes of the world are on Kansas City. KMBC 9 Sports Sunday will match that excitement.”

Margaret Orr, chief meteorologist at WDSU New Orleans, has announced her retirement. She has spent 45 years at WDSU and will sign off March 29. 

Orr joined WDSU in 1979 and was promoted to chief meteorologist in 2009. “From blue skies to severe weather, Margaret has dedicated decades to ensuring all of us here in Southeast Louisiana are informed and safe,” said WDSU News Director Melissa Dart on WDSU.com. “It's been an honor watching her lead the WDSU First Warning Weather team as we serve this incredible community.”

Orr is a native of New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University and the Mississippi State Broadcast Meteorology program. 

Also Read: Local News Close-Up: Easy Does It in New Orleans

“We are immensely grateful for the years of dedication, expertise and community service that Margaret has contributed to Southeast Louisiana. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to be an inspiration to us all,” WDSU general manager Mike Neelly said.

In 2022, Orr was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.

“My purpose has always been to be a positive light while the weather is benign, and to be here when the weather is bad,” Orr said. “I grew up here. I consider the people here my family. I always want to keep them safe and prepared for anything that comes our way.”

Hearst Television owns WDSU. Orr’s successor has not been named. 

The Jennifer Hudson Show has been renewed by Fox Television Stations for a third season, Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group; David Decker, president of content sales, Warner Bros. Discovery; and Frank Cicha, executive VP of programming for Fox Television Stations, said Thursday. 

Fox serves as Jennifer Hudson’s anchor group in top markets such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Hearst Television stations also have renewed the show.

As a result of the Jennifer Hudson renewal, Debmar-Mercury has pulled its talk show starring Ken Jeong from the marketplace.

“We know Ken is an A-plus talent deserving of an A-plus lineup, and market conditions did not afford us an opportunity at this time,“ Debmar-Mercury said in a statement. “We will monitor the market for future Ken opportunities.”

Debmar-Mercury was hoping to land a slot for Ken Jeong on the Fox stations, where another Debmar-Mercury-produced talker, Sherri, already airs. But with the renewal of Jennifer Hudson, Fox is full when it comes to talk shows with cash license fees. Fox tends to program two or three big talk shows and then fill the rest of its time slots with lower-cost programming, such as court, game and entertainment news. 

Also Read: Big Swings Are Rarer but Studios, Stations Remain in the Game

Hosted by EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show has improved 13% this year among adults 18-23 and has averaged 4.4 million viewers weekly, according to Warner Bros. It’s also grown audience on its social platforms, where it has increased its impressions by 438% on Instagram, with 44 million impressions, and 300% on Facebook, with 53 million impressions in November and December. On YouTube, the show scored 63 million views in the same time frame, also according to Warner Bros.

“There is nothing I love more than watching people come together in positivity on one accord — sharing our humanity and our stories, learning from each other, and celebrating one another,“ Hudson said as she announced the renewal on the show. ‘I feel so blessed to have this platform where we do just that every single day.  We get to experience life to the fullest — we laugh out loud, we cry joyful tears, we dance the best we can, and we sing our hearts out.”

Guests on the show so far this season have included Mariah Carey, the cast of The Color Purple with producer Oprah Winfrey, Demi Lovato, Octavia Spencer, Matthew McConaughey and Adam Sandler. Upcoming guests include Kaley Cuoco, Heidi Klum, Common, Snoop Dogg and Chrissy Teigen.

“Jennifer is a rare talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Her enthusiasm and endearing demeanor radiates from the stage and onto television screens everywhere. It’s no wonder her audience continues to skyrocket,” Dungey said in a statement.  

Produced by JHUD Productions and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures and distributed in national syndication by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, The Jennifer Hudson Show is executive produced by Hudson, Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, Corey Palent, Graehme Morphy and Walter Williams III, with LaNeé Griffin as co-executive producer.

Dish Network said it reached a new carriage agreement with Hearst Television, ending a blackout that had lasted since September.

Dish said Hearst's 37 network-affiliated stations were immediately restored to its customers.

“We’re pleased to have reached a long-term agreement that benefits all parties and most importantly, our customers,” Gary Schanman, executive VP and group president, video services at Dish Network, said. “Thank you to our customers for your patience and understanding as we worked through the negotiations.”

Dish had claimed Hearst was demanding tens of millions of dollars in rate increases.

Hearst said Dish had been paying below market rates for retransmission rights to its stations.

Dish lost 64,000 pay TV subscribers in the third quarter and posted a $139 million loss.

Hearst Television’s Very Local streaming service is launching Maker Nation Challenge, a new series that goes to five different U.S. cities to showcase local artisans who are among the best at what they do.

Starting November 7, the series will feature tattoo artists in Missouri, makeup artists in Florida and jewelry makers in South Carolina, among others.

Maker Nation Challenge is hosted by Ashley Adams, co-host of the YouTube series Feast of Fiction.

Over the course of the season’s 10 weekly episodes, Adams travels to Hearst station markets Orlando, Florida; Kansas City; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; and Greenville, South Carolina. 

“Ashley Adams, a DIY disciple herself, brings a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm to the fold that I’m confident audiences will find infectious,” Very Local VP, production Michael Callahan said. “She is the audience, and I think that will really come through to viewers." 

Hearst points to data from Business Research Insights that the global arts and crafts market is valued at more than $44 billion and is projected to grow to nearly $75 billion by 2031.

"Interest in arts and crafts has exploded across the USA, and we feel we’ve assembled a uniquely talented and endearing cast of artists and makers from across the country that will inspire and enlighten our fans,” Callahan said. “Audiences are welcoming content that showcases skillful, innovative work that fascinates them and serves their excitement for DIY artistic pursuits. We think they will embrace the warm-natured spirit and high quality of story-telling Maker Nation Challenge will offer.”

The Very Local app is available to stream for free on all mobile, tablet and connected-TV devices.

Very Local produces more than 100 hours of content a year, including more than a dozen titles and hundreds of interstitial programs.

Hearst Television said it promoted Gerry McGavick to VP sales.

McCavick has been corporate director of sales at Hearst since 2021. He will be moving from an office at WCVB Boston to New York.

“Gerry continues to be one of the country’s most significant voices in television sales, advocating for our industry and Hearst Television,” Hayes said.  “In his expanded role we are confident he will continue to make a substantial contribution as he transitions to our New York office.”

McGavick has with Hearst Television in the New England region for much of the past two decades, serving as general sales manager and director of sales at WMUR, the company’s ABC affiliate in Manchester, New Hampshire, before moving to his corporate role in 2021. 

His dad was general sales manager for WCVB from 1972 to 1984.

Hearst Television’s KQCA Sacramento will become an affiliate of Nexstar Media Group’s The CW  as part of a new multiyear affiliation deal between Hearst and the network.

KQCA has been carrying MyNetworkTV programming. The station will run The CW's entertainment lineup in primetime and MyNetwork shows will continue to air from midnight to 2 a.m.

CBS-owned KMAX had been The CW affiliate in Sacramento, but after CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery sold their controlling stake in the CW to Nexstar, CBS’s CW affiliates became independents.

Also Read: 3 Nexstar Stations To Add The CW Affiliations on Sept. 1

The new affiliation deal with The CW also covers WKCF Orlando, Florida; KCWE Kansas City, Missouri; WPXT Portland, Main;, WCWG Greensboro, North Carolina; WNNE Burlington, Vermont; and KHOG/KHBS Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

“Hearst has been an important partner for The CW throughout the years and we are extremely pleased to be launching a new CW affiliate in Sacramento,” The CW president Dennis Miller said. “KQCA-TV is already home to LIV Golf in Sacramento, and this agreement will ensure that viewers there won’t miss a moment of our other highly-rated sports and entertainment programming, including ACC college football and basketball, and Inside the NFL, both of which premiere this fall.”

“The evolution of The CW with the infusion of live sports like NASCAR Xfinity Series racing and ACC football and basketball, along with new entertainment programming, brings excitement and momentum to our group,” Michael Hayes, president of Hearst Television, said. “We look forward to working with Dennis and his team in this expanded partnership, continuing our relationship with the network.”

Hearst Television said it named Kenneth Murphy VP, information technology, a new post, effective July 31.

Murphy has been Hearst’s executive director, network architecture and engineering. 

“Ken has a history of Hearst success and will bring that knowledge with him in this move to Hearst Television,” said Michael Hayes, president of Hearst Television.  “His experience in security, systems and integration is additive to our technology strategy today and fortifies it for the future.”

“Ken will be responsible for helping lead all of Hearst Television’s technological initiatives,” added Stefan Hadl, senior VP, broadcast engineering & technology. “A primary focus is on IT security; he will also lead the planning, design and implementation of our next-generation IT networking infrastructure to support all operations relative to connectivity, storage, data, and video transport and distribution.  And he will help lead our strategic planning and deployment of cloud resources and technology with the objective of making our operations more efficient and nimble.”

Murphy joined Hearst in 2006 as a network engineer.

 Season 3 of Finding Adventure, an original series on Hearst Television’s Very Local streaming app, is set to launch August 1.

Over the course of the season, host Kinga Philipps takes viewers to a dozen cities where she gets a local resident to try a thrilling activity in their hometown.

In the season premiere, Philipps gives a dad in Savannah e-foiling lessons and takes a military retiree and single mother in Cincinnati surfing and shark-tooth hunting. 

She also returns to Albuquerque to help a double amputee kayak and mountain bike.

“I am so thrilled to be back for Season 3. We are meeting new people, traveling to new destinations and providing transformative experiences that ignite a sense of curiosity, connection and personal growth,” Philipps said.  “Each individual’s journey looks a bit different, and the destination is never the same — but that is what makes this show so special.”

Hearst Television launched Very Local in 2021. It offers original non-scripted programming focused on local markets where Hearst owns TV stations.

Very Local produces more than 100 hours of content a year, including more than a dozen titles and hundreds of interstitial programs.

Hearst Television has promoted Kyle I. Grimes, president and general manager of WCVB Boston, adding VP, New England, to his role. Grimes will continue to oversee WCVB and will add corporate oversight of WMTW-WPXT Portland-Auburn, Maine; WMUR Manchester, New Hampshire; and WPTZ-WNNE Plattsburgh, New York-Burlington, Vermont. 

The general managers of these stations will report to him. He starts in the expanded role July 11.  

“We are fortunate to have strong operators at our television stations and Kyle has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership in every assignment,” Hearst TV president Michael J. Hayes said. “With intimate knowledge of the region as a general manager in two of the properties, this additional responsibility is a natural transition for him and for Hearst Television. The alignment enables us to continue capitalizing on our regional strength, thereby maximizing our opportunity and presence in New England.”

Grimes took over WCVB, a market powerhouse, in 2020 after Bill Fine retired. He previously was president and general manager of WGAL Harrisburg-Lancaster (PA). Before that, Grimes was president and general manager of WPTZ-WNNE. He had previously been news director at WPTZ-WNNE and at WPBF West Palm Beach. 

Grimes began his career at Hearst TV’s KSBW Monterey/Salinas and then KCRA-KQCA Sacramento. 

He has spent his entire career within Hearst Television. 

Hearst has completed its acquisition of WBBH Fort Myers from Waterman Broadcasting. The station is an NBC affiliate. Hearst assumes Waterman Broadcasting’s programming relationship with Montclair Communications Inc., owner of WZVN, the ABC affiliate in Fort Myers-Naples. 

The station sold for $220 million, according to published reports. 

“The Waterman family has served southwest Florida with unparalleled community service and outstanding journalism,” Hearst executive VP and chief operating officer, Jordan Wertlieb said. “We at Hearst are steadfast in this commitment to local broadcasting as we have been throughout Florida for over 25 years.” 

WBBH VP and station manager Darrel Lieze-Adams will continue in that role. Steve Pontius, general manager, announced his retirement last week. 

“Darrel has a passion for WBBH and has served the station and southwest Florida for 26 years as news director and station manager,” said Michael J. Hayes, president of Hearst Television Inc. “We are eager to join him to continue the outstanding work being done.”  

Fort Myers-Naples is Nielsen’s No. 55 DMA. WBBH, a strong player in local news, went on the air in December 1968. 

Jennifer Peñate will join WCVB Boston as weekend evening anchor and general assignment reporter beginning on June 28. She will co-anchor weekend evening newscasts with Shaun Chaiyabhat and will report during the week. 

Peñate comes from WFLA-WTTA Tampa, where she anchored English-language newscasts on both stations, and created and anchored WTTA’s Spanish-language newscast Noticias Tampa Hoy. Peñate was also a contributor to TampaHoy.com, the station’s Spanish-language news site. 

“Jennifer is a talented journalist whose experience and values will make her an excellent addition to WCVB,” WCVB president and general manager Kyle I. Grimes said. “She has also been long dedicated to public service having volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations as well as founding her own focused on mentorship. Jennifer’s journalism excellence combined with her commitment to her community make her a perfect fit for the WCVB team.”

Peñate was born in El Salvador and grew up in both Los Angeles and Northwest Arkansas. In 2015, she created Girls Unstoppable to empower young Latinas through a curriculum that focuses on overcoming obstacles, developing confidence and higher education.

“WCVB NewsCenter 5 is proud of its long legacy of journalists who are not only dedicated to providing exceptional news and information to the market, but equally as passionate about public service,” news director Margaret Cronan said. “Jennifer is an accomplished journalist who is looking forward to putting her energetic storytelling skills to work on the anchor desk and on the streets of our communities. She is an ideal addition to the NewsCenter 5 team, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the WCVB family.”

Peñate began her career in 2011 as a reporter at KODE Joplin (Missouri). Before her time at WFLA-WTTA, a Nexstar Media Group-owned NBC-MyNetworkTV duo, Peñate spent three years as evening anchor at KNWA Fayetteville (Arkansas). 

“I am humbled to be joining WCVB, one of the most highly regarded television stations in the country,” Peñate said. “I look forward to anchoring the weekend evening news with Shaun as well as contributing to the excellent journalism and impactful public service provided to the community by the Channel 5 team every day.”

Hearst Television-owned WCVB is the ABC affiliate for Boston, Nielsen’s No. 9 DMA, and is the market leader. 

Season three of the In Transit series from Esquire magazine launches on Hearst Television’s Very Local app June 21. Esquire is part of Hearst Magazines. Dave Holmes, Esquire editor-at-large, hosts. 

Irish singer Dermot Kennedy is in the premiere, discussing Cincinnati. There are four 30-minute episodes for the travel show, which showcases things to do, see and eat in cities where Hearst owns TV stations, including Kansas City, Milwaukee and Greenville, South Carolina. 

Holmes meets his celeb guests in an airport bar to discuss hidden gems in a particular place. Guests this season include Swedish singer Zara Larsson, Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby and chef Ronnie Woo. 

“From MTV to Esquire, Dave Holmes has interviewed some of the biggest names in our cultural zeitgeist. We’re thrilled that Dave is bringing his curious nature and conversational style to Very Local as he chats with celebs about their travel rituals and highlights hidden gems across America,” said Laura Ling, VP, programming at Very Local.

Hearst Television launched Very Local in 2021 to provide original non-scripted programming across genres with a focus on production in markets where the group owns a station. The Very Local team produces more than 100 hours of content a year. 

Hearst Media Production Group said it entered into a development deal with actress, comedian and author Tiffany Haddish.

The plan is to produce two unscripted series. One is about successful women in romantic relationships with homeless men. The other features psychotherapist Elliott Connie, who recently released a new book, The Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Diamond.

Haddish will executive produce both shows.

The deal will expand Hearst Media Production Group’s content portfolio. 

“Tiffany is one of the most dynamic and relatable voices in comedy,” said Angelica Rosas McDaniel, HMPG executive VP and general manager, entertainment. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with her as we expand HMPG’s general market offerings and develop these authentic, inclusive and engaging stories we are committed to telling.”

Haddish has more than 100 movie TV and streaming credits. She appeared in the 2017 comedy Girls Trip, hosted Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready on Netflix and was the first Black female standup comedian to host Saturday Night Live.

“I partnered with HMPG on these projects to make a difference in people’s lives,” Haddish said. “I’ve been unhoused before and I know how hard it is to get back on your feet. I also knew that my situation didn’t define me, nor did it make me believe that I was unworthy or unlovable.  Everyone deserves a chance at love and a happy home.  That’s why I’m making this show.  I want to use my platform to help others who are going through what I went through and give hope to those who need it most. Let’s do this! She Ready!”

Meridith Mulkey has been named sports director at KHBS-KHOG Fort Smith-Fayetteville. She joined the stations, known as 40/29, as sports anchor/reporter in July 2022.

An ABC affiliate owned by Hearst Television, KHBS-KHOG, twin channels on either side of the market, is home to 40/29 News, Hog Wild Sports and Friday Frenzy. 

“Since her arrival Meridith has excelled at covering the Razorbacks, the SEC Conference, high school and every sport in between,” said 40/29 News Director Colleen Clement. “Meridith will provide excellent leadership in her new role as she and the sports team cover the Razorbacks and our diverse sports market.” 

Prior to joining KHBS-KHOG, Mulkey spent two years at WTVY in Dothan, Alabama, where she anchored sports during the week, in addition to doing sports reports as a multimedia journalist. 

Mulkey succeeds Mitch Roberts as the sports director at KHBS-KHOG. 

Fort Smith-Fayetteville, located in Arkansas, is DMA No. 97.

Hearst Television has agreed to acquire WBBH Fort Myers-Naples, Florida, from Waterman Broadcasting. WBBH is an NBC affiliate and a strong news performer in the No. 55 DMA.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. It is expected to close in the third quarter. 

Under the transaction, Hearst will assume Waterman Broadcasting’s programming relationship with Montclair Communications, owner of WZVN, the market’s ABC affiliate. 

“This transaction provides an excellent strategic fit for our company and underscores our commitment to local television broadcasting and to leadership in our television markets across the country,” said Steven R. Swartz, president and CEO of Hearst.  

WBBH is known locally as NBC2. WBBH and its management relationship with WZVN represent the whole of Waterman’s station portfolio. 

“Waterman Broadcasting has always placed paramount importance on local journalism and unwavering service to the community,” said Steve Pontius, executive VP and general manager of Waterman Broadcasting. “Southwest Florida viewers have known for decades that they can ‘Count on NBC2.’ I am confident that Hearst is the best television broadcaster in America to continue that commitment.”

WBBH went on the air in late 1968. Bernard Waterman founded Waterman Broadcasting in 1956. 

“Bernie and Edith Waterman have been outstanding stewards of WBBH-TV and the programming relationship with WZVN-TV,” said Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television. “They have served the viewers of Fort Myers and Naples with distinction since 1979. Of course, both stations provided important lifesaving coverage during Hurricane Ian and have been providing information and updates as the area recovers and rebuilds. We are proud to have been selected to continue the legacy of such distinguished broadcasters.“

Edith Waterman, president of Waterman Broadcasting, called the decision to sell WBBH “emotional.”

Hearst Television said it is launching season two of Finding Adventure, an original national series that streams on free ad-supported streaming TV channels via Hearst’s Very Local app on Tuesday.

Finding Adventure, hosted by Kinga Philipps, takes people on outdoor adventures in the markets where they live.

“Watching the personal transformations of the inspiring locals we’ve invited on the show is one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had as creators,” Michael Callahan, senior director, digital studios at Very Local, said. “Kinga Philipps couldn’t be more compassionate and captivating as their mentor and our tenacious producing team did a wonderful job capturing more heartwarming and heart-pounding stories in season two of Finding Adventure,”

Also: Hearst Showcases Very Local’s Streaming Shows on TV Stations

Season two’s eight 30-minute episodes take place in Hearst markets, including Louisville, Kentucky; Greenville, South Carolina; Milwaukee; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hearst launched its over-the-top Very Local connected TV channel last year. It started by airing local news content, with digital-first original programming added in.

Season one of Very Local's slate of shows featured several hosts, including Boston Rob Mariano from Survivor, YouTube personality Ashley Adams and influencer/chef Bime Cruz, as well as Philipps.

Very Local produces more than 100 hours of content a year, including more than a dozen titles and hundreds of interstitial programs, and manages the schedules of more than two dozen free, ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. ■

Hearst Television has picked up weekly political series Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, which is produced by its sister company Hearst Media Production Group, for two more seasons. Hearst also has reupped Sony Pictures Television to distribute the show for two more seasons.

Sony is now taking Matter of Fact out to the rest of the country to be renewed. Now in its eighth season, Matter of Fact is cleared on stations covering 95% of the U.S. The show has welcomed such guests as John Legend, Danny Trejo, Donal Logue, Roxanne Gay, Jemele Hill and many journalists, authors and political experts.

“Matter of Fact has been a solid performer, attracting a diverse and coveted younger audience, as well as political advertising dollars – a key revenue driver for local stations. We’re proud to work with Hearst Media Production Group and extend our longstanding agreement to distribute the show and are looking forward to taking it out to buyers later this month,” said Zack Hernandez, SVP, Syndication Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment, in a statement.

According to Sony, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien has grown by 5% in the 2022-23 TV season, averaging nearly 1.2 million total viewers each week. 

“Soledad and the team are at the top of their game in providing compelling, meaningful and relevant content,” said Frank Biancuzzo, president of Hearst Media Production Group, also in a statement. “Matter of Fact has an incredibly loyal following and that audience continues to grow.”

O’Brien will be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in May. ■

Hearst Television said it has promoted Michael Rosellini to senior VP, digital services.

Rosellini, who had been VP, digital services since 2013, supervises a team developing projects and overseeing engineering, data and operational responsibilities for Hearst’s station-branded local news sites, mobile apps, the Very Local streaming apps and FAST Channels.

He continues to report to Roger Keating, senior VP, chief strategy and business development officer. 

“Mike is an exceptional leader whose work cuts across all emerging platforms and keeps Hearst Television among the top tier of media groups for innovation,” Hearst TV president Jordan Wertlieb said. “Among his many contributions, he has represented us well in various industry forums and is, most notably, an exceptional developer of talent.”

Rosellini joined Hearst in 2008 as director of digital product development. He began his career with internships in the newsrooms of WNYT and WGY-AM in Albany, New York, his hometown.

After graduating from American University, Rosellini produced and edited content for WNBC New York’s website before he moved fully into digital media tech at CBS Interactive.

“Mike has a deep understanding of both internal and external customers and a relentless focus on driving quality experiences through his eye for product design and agile software development,” Keating said. “He is a self-taught digital technologist whose natural curiosity, coupled with a passion for video streaming tech, led him to master the various and complex functions he leads.” ■

Hearst Television staffers thought and talked a lot about the weather this year. 

“Forecasting Our Future” was the group’s multiplatform initiative, an effort to localize the issue of climate change to one where stories illustrate local impacts, prospects and possible solutions.

In mid-November, Hearst TV director of special projects David Hurlburt said 600 stories had aired, which is more than 20 hours. “And that’s just within the newscast,” he said. KOAT Albuquerque (“New Mexico’s Drought Crisis”), WTAE Pittsburgh and WYFF Greenville (“Hurricane Outlook”) were among the 33 Hearst stations that did local-issue specials. 

Hearst also has a national investigative unit, led by chief national investigative correspondent Mark Albert, which produced eight stories on related topics including dealing with rising floodwaters and “green jobs.” Chief national consumer correspondent Jeff Rossen produced a monthly story on topics such as “wish cycling” (trying to recycle something that can’t be recycled) and reusable dryer products.  

Then there was the groupwide special, Forecasting Our Future, that aired in April, with another one airing in December, with content from every Hearst station around the country.  

“We wanted to harness the power of all the stations in all the various regions of the country, and in particular the experts that we have in our meteorologists and the weather folks,” Barbara Maushard, senior VP of news, explained about the selection of the project’s theme. “We have more than a hundred of them around the group who really understand the different impacts of the different weather patterns in the different markets. They are all involved.”

Some stations found hidden stories in checking the local impact of climate change: 

• KCRA Sacramento: How warmer, drier weather impacts wildfires;
• WCVB Boston: How weather patterns make the Massachusetts pothole season more costly; 
• WLKY Louisville: Tornado activity is increasing across Ohio Valley; 
• WAPT Jackson: Pollen season could be getting longer. 

“The stories that make you feel good about some of this are the solution stories,” Hurlburt said, “from families to organizations and companies doing large-scale things to just try to reduce their own impact, because all of this plays a role in the way we’re seeing the severity of weather.” ■

Hearst Television said it promoted Michael Saffell to regional director of engineering.

Saffell has been director of engineering for Hearst TV’s WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H., since 2015.

In his new post Saffell will share engineering oversight across the station group with Greg Turner, who is also regional director of engineering. Saffell succeeds Joe Balkan, who is retiring after 24 years with Hearst TV and nearly 50 years in the broadcast industry.

“Michael is a versatile broadcast TV industry veteran with valuable experience spanning production to distribution,” said Stefan Hadl, Hearst Television senior VP of engineering. “He’s been instrumental in managing the technology at one of our company’s most high-profile stations and he’s the right person to succeed Joe in this important position.”

Before joining Hearst as assistant director of engineering at WMUR in 2014, Saffell was director of technology for New Hampshire Public Radio. He began his TV career as a teenager acting as chief engineer for a 5-megawatt station in suburban New York. ■

Hearst Television said that its Very Local free streaming service is available on Vizio smart TVs.

Very Local is a streaming channel offering 24-hour access to local news, weather and original series from Hearst and its local stations.

Viewers will also have access to Very Local original series on-demand.

“We aim to give our audiences content that not only excites but is relatable, too,” Chris Tanquary, senior director of business development at Vizio, said. “Very Local’s addition to Vizio is sure to give our users the news, weather and shows that matter to them most, no matter where they are in the U.S.”

Also: ‘Boston Rob’ Mariano Hosts Show on Very Local App

Very Local is also available for free on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and Local Now.

“The addition of the Vizio platform marks a major step in the growth of our distribution for Very Local’s programming,” said Andrew Fitzgerald, senior VP, streaming video services at Hearst Television. “We want to reach consumers with quality local content wherever they are and on their own timetable, and working with Vizio helps us substantially in that objective.  We’re confident Very Local will prove an excellent complement to Vizio’s outstanding lineup of movies, TV shows, sports, kids and family content, news, lifestyle programming, gaming and more.” ■

Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward premieres October 1. Craig Robinson, who played warehouse guy Darryl on The Office, hosts the Hearst Media Production Group half-hour syndicated show. 

Much more than just trick basketball, the program sends the current Globetrotters out to various communities, where people are doing a bit of good for the neighborhood. The players pitch in on the community projects, and pass along a couple hoops tricks too. 

After Robinson greets viewers from a basketball court set, to the tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” of course, the first segment in the pilot sees players, including TNT, Torch and Hammer (all Trotters go by nicknames), venture to Adair Park in Atlanta, where art students have painted stunning murals on the surface of a public basketball court. The players pitch in on the “Art in the Paint” initiative by affixing rims to the barren backboards and trying a few trick shots. 

“When you restore these basketball courts, you essentially restore a community,” Torch said. 

Next, some Trotters, including Bulldog, Cheese and Hot Shot (Jahmani “Hot Shot” Swanson has the “genetic condition of dwarfism,” according to the Globetrotters website, and is the shortest Globetrotter in history), visit an urban garden in Washington, D.C., and learn about healthy drinking water. 

The segments end with the Globetrotters showing off their hoops skills, and teaching the kids a trick or two. 

Next up in the pilot is a segment about bullying, where a young man reflects on being bullied in school, including schoolmates making fun of his Globetrotters jersey. Globetrotter Zeus visited the school to talk about bullying, and brought the bullied child up to the front of the assembly for a hug. Globetrotter Bull mentions “spreading positivity and joy in each of these communities that we’re gonna touch.”

The final segment sees Donte Harrison, known as Hammer, skydive from 13,000 feet — and dunk a basketball just before he lands. “I just love the feeling of doing things that are out of this world,” he explains. 

That segment could’ve gone a few minutes longer, but it is nonetheless a thrill to watch. 

The Globetrotters were TV staples in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including taking on the Professor, Skipper and other castaways on The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island. 

Here in New York, the show is on WNBC, at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, part of NBC’s “The More You Know” programming block. 

Besides hosting The Masked Dancer on Fox, Robinson’s roles include the movies Hot Tub Time Machine and Dolemite Is My Name. He’s funny and likable in his short scenes introducing segments. 

While the Play It Forward segments end with a few basketball tricks, I could’ve used a bit more on-court action — the Trotters trouncing the modern-day Washington Generals with an array of otherworldly court craftsmanship. A bit more basketball would help to make the likes of Bulldog, Cheese and Hammer household names, the way Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal were decades ago, which would give the community segments a little bit more sizzle. More hoops tricks would probably also work well for the Play It Forward target audience on social platforms. 

But Play It Forward is an uplifting show that passes on positive messages for kid viewers — and will even toss them a few real-life facts. ■

Allen Media Group and Hearst Television said they reached an agreement under which Allen’s Local Now free streaming service will carry 27 of Hearst's Very Local news channels.

The ad-supported streaming channels, serving 26 U.S. media markets in 39 states, provide news and local content produced by Hearst’s TV stations.

“Local Now has the most local channels of any free streaming platform,” Byron Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Local Now parent company Allen Media Group, said. “We are thrilled to bring best-in-class local programming from Hearst Television to the Local Now platform. Our users value premium local news channels that they know and trust.”

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

“We’re excited to expand Hearst Television’s streaming footprint by making our Very Local channels available to the diverse and growing audiences on the Local Now streaming app,” Hearst Television senior VP of streaming services Andrew Fitzgerald said. “As consumers seek to connect with local news and information on streaming platforms, Hearst Television will meet them where they are with award-winning news and originals via Very Local.”

Local Now provides local content to 225 markets. It competes with Sinclair Broadcast Group’s NewsON and VUit from Syncbak and Gray Television. ■

Hearst Television plans to let broadcast viewers sample the original shows appearing on its Very Local streaming service.

For a week starting Sept.5, Hearst stations in 26 markets will air Very Local Presents: More to Explore, a hosted special including a full episodes of Very Local series. 

The episodes mostly air in the afternoon, most replacing episodes of Ellen. The shows have ad, including promotions for the new syndicated Jennifer Hudson show.

Hosts include Boston Rob Mariano from Survivor, Shark Week Tiger Queen Kinga Phillips of Shark Week’s Tiger Queen, YouTube personality Ashley Adams and influencer/chef, Bime Cruz.

“Very Local Presents: More to Explore is a week-long celebration of the extraordinary talent, passion and resilience found in local communities across America,” said Very Local Director of Programming Laura Ling.  “We’re thrilled to share these stories with the broader television audience, and we hope viewers will download the free Very Local app for more.”

On September 5, Ashley Adams, the host of Very Local’s Maker Nation, introduces viewers to some of the hottest crafters across the U.S., and then presents an episode of Eat Play Stay, a Very Local series featuring the best of what to do, where to dine, and where to stay in cities around the country.

Tuesday’s installment is hosted by Kinga Philipps, who is the guide behind Very Local’s Finding Adventure. After a Finding Adventure episode she introduces a new Very Local series, Local Love, which features a single going on three blind dates -- while discovering a love of new things to do in her hometown.

Wednesday takes viewers on a search for justice -- with two episodes of Very Local’s true crime series Hometown Tragedy, developed in collaboration with Hearst TV news teams around the country. 

On Thursday, Survivor all-star Rob Mariano, host of Very Local’s Boston Rob Does Beantown, takes viewers through some of his favorite Boston hot spots and then tees up an episode of My Amazing Cheap Date, in which couples compete to see who can make the most of a date-on-a-budget.

On Friday Bime Cruz of Blind Kitchen Boston hosts a blind-folded culinary battle, then spotlights the cooking series, Plate it, Pittsburgh! where sandwiches get the gourmet treatment in a culinary competition. ■

Hearst Television said it named Preman Narayanan as VP of ad operations and information services, a new position, effective August 1.

Narayanan has been VP of IT and technical operations at Comcast’s Effectv ad unit. 

In his new post, he will oversee Hearst TV’s linear and digital advertising operations and business operations departments and help set the strategic direction for the company’s ad technology and information systems. He will be based in Hearst’s office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Preman joins us at an exciting time for local broadcast advertising,” added Al Lustgarten, Hearst Television senior VP of technology and information services, to whom Narayanan will report. “Brands and buyers will have new opportunities to utilize advanced advertising techniques; Preman will lead the operations and ad technology initiatives which will enable our customers and sellers to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Before Effectv, he was with Time Warner Cable Media, U-verse TV, EchoStar Broadband and SkyStream Networks. He started his career at Astro All Asia Networks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ■

The Boston Athletic Association on Wednesday said that starting in 2023 ESPN will become the exclusive national television outlet for the Boston Marathon with WCVB, the Hearst Television station in Boston, winning local rights to the event. 

NBCUniversal showed the 2022 race on USA Network and Peacock. Local coverage was provided by CBS News and Stations-owned WBZ. 

The Patriot Day race is returning to both ESPN and WCVB. ESPN aired the road race in the early 1980s and then from 1997-2004. WCVB, an ABC affiliate, provided wire-to-wire coverage of the marathon from 1982 through 2006, including the largest Boston Marathon in history — the centennial Boston Marathon in 1996 featured 35,868 finishers. (ABC owner The Walt Disney Co. is the controlling shareholder in ESPN with Hearst holding a 20% stake in the network.)

WCVB also becomes the exclusive year-round local TV and streaming partner for all Boston Athletic Association events.

“The B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon are esteemed around the world and beloved by our community, and to be launching this exclusive partnership as WCVB marks 50 years in broadcasting and service to the community is especially fitting,” said Kyle I. Grimes, WCVB president and general manager. “WCVB has a proud history of covering the market’s marquee events, and the Boston Marathon is the perfect addition to Channel 5’s signature, local programming. We also look forward to working with the B.A.A. year-round to highlight their many other athletic events as well as the great work they do in the community.”

Financial terms were not disclosed.

“The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s most recognizable and best-known sporting events and we’re proud to be able to bring it to ESPN viewers for years to come,” added Burke Magnus, president, programming and original content, for ESPN. “We look forward to working with the B.A.A. and WCVB to present the stories and athletic achievements of this classic race.”

ESPN will broadcast the 127th Boston Marathon, scheduled to take place on April 17, 2023, on its flagship channel from 8:30 a.m. ET until 1 p.m. ET. ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day, as well as coverage appearing on other ESPN shows and platforms.

ESPN televises other endurance events including the TCS New York City Marathon, NCAA Division I Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field Championships, NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, the American Track League and the Penn Relays.

Live coverage of the Boston Marathon will air on WCVB beginning at 4 a.m. ET through 8 p.m. ET. The race will be exclusively simulcast regionally on Hearst Television-owned sister-stations WMUR, Manchester, New Hampshire; WMTW, Portland/Auburn, Maine and WPTZ, Burlington, Vermont/Plattsburgh, New York). The Boston Marathon will also be live-streamed on Very Local Boston, and the streaming platform will host year-round content featuring the B.A.A.

“We’re honored to partner with ESPN and WCVB Channel 5, respected market leaders who bring a spirit of innovation and thoughtful storytelling that will propel the mission of the B.A.A. and legacy of the world’s oldest annual marathon forward,” said Jack Fleming, acting CEO of the B.A.A. “Both have established a tradition of broadcasting world-class athletic events, and we are excited to build on this tradition together into the future.”  ■

Mike Cherry will join KCRA-KQCA Sacramento as morning anchor. He comes from Manchester, New Hampshire, where he anchors the 5 p.m. news at WMUR. KCRA-KQCA and WMUR are owned by Hearst Television. 

Cherry will be part of KCRA 3 News from 4-7 a.m. with Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Teo Torres, Tamara Berg and Melanie Hunter. He joins Brandi Cummings as co-anchor of KCRA 3 News on My58 at 7 and 8 a.m. 

“We’re thrilled to Welcome Mike Cherry to the KCRA 3/My58 Family,” said KCRA-KQCA president and general manager Ariel Roblin. “His passion and record of excellence in journalism will be a great contribution of service to our community.”

KCRA-KQCA is an NBC-MyNetworkTV pair.  

Cherry started his journalism career at KGMB Honolulu after graduating from the University of Hawaii. He worked as a video editor, photographer and sports reporter. After that, Cherry was evening anchor at KITV Honolulu.

“Mike has a fantastic track record of inspiring the team around him and we know that will make him a great fit for our station,” KCRA 3 news director Derek Schnell said. “Mike is also passionate about getting out into the community and making connections, which will translate into some excellent stories that we can share with our audience.” 

Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto is DMA No. 20. 

“The opportunity to work for a news family like KCRA does not come along very often and I am beyond blessed and excited to join an institution that has built decades of trust in Sacramento,” Cherry said. “My wife and I cannot wait to become part of the community and, if anyone has recommendations on hikes, restaurants and must do activities, don’t hesitate to let us know.” ■

Ad tech company Matrix Solutions said that Gray Television, Hearst Television, Graham Media and Cox Media Group’s CoxReps have made an investment in Admiral, a new Gateway Matrix is developing that will automate converged advertising sales.

Admiral initially will use software from Videa, the advanced advertising company shut down by Cox in 2020, as the back-end technology for traditional linear spot ads sales.

Matrix will use an open architecture platform as it builds out the rest of the product, which will manage sales of traditional spot, impression-based dynamic ad insertion in live linear, digital and over-the-top inventory from demand through order fulfillment.

Traditional local media is growing slowly, partly because it’s difficult and complicated to buy. “If we can start as an industry making it easy to understand, easy to execute and easy to measure, I’m a believer that we can then start capturing more of that advertising pie again,” Mark Gorman, CEO of Matrix Solutions told Broadcasting+Cable. 

Gorman said that most of the ad sales systems have been designed for buyers. Stations throw their inventory into those systems but don’t have control over it.

“We’re a sell-side company and we’re building a product that allows our clients and our future clients to control their inventory,” Gorman said. “This is really about putting them in the driver's seat, being able to optimize their inventory and optimize their revenue.”

Matrix announced it was developing a sales gateway portal in 2019. Gorman said its plans have been enhanced by getting the financial backing and expertise from Gray, Hearst, Graham and CoxReps. Gray and Hearst have been using Matrix software, Graham has come aboard to help develop the new gateway.

Gorman said the gateway was originally being designed to help stations transition from selling based on rating to selling based on impressions, like digital. “But our clients said ‘listen, we need you to help us bridge the past to the future.” 

The product will provide an automated workflow that tracks all types of inventory demand, ingest RFPs and enables management to track available inventory, monitor pricing and maximize revenue.

Karen Youger, senior VP of sales operations for Gray Television, said it was unusual for the broadcast to work this way with a tech vendor. “We’ve used their CRM tools here at Gray very extensively and they’ve always been a really good business partner for us, so it was pretty easy to make the decision to move in this direction.”

Youger noted that the TV industry for years has been talking about creating a more frictionless ad pipeline and a gateway was vital to meeting that goal and solving what she called the “swivel chair problem” facing stations ad sales account executives.

“They’re getting orders and avails and information from so many different directions now, and having a sales gateway for them to focus on where everything can come in and converge in one place will help streamline that process and get them out selling,” she said.

Admiral will be able to handle buy-side aggregation, providing visibility into all available inventory; inventory management, build proposals and electronically negotiate with buyers, manage orders and take care of make goods and campaign management.

The Admiral gateway will be interoperable with Matrix’s Monarch media ad sales platform, which is being used by more than 85% of the top 25 stations groups in the U.S., according to Gorman.

The integration will mean that as a station sends out proposals through Monarch, it will automatically update the pipeline status and forecasting on Admiral. Because Admiral is being built on an open platform, stations using other CRM systems will be able to integrate with Admiral as well, Gorman said.

Matrix plans to build and release Admiral in phases. “I think a mistake that ad tech companies do make oftentimes is they try to boil the ocean with everything they develop,” Gorman said. “I have been very upfront with people that the first product we’re going to have is a product that works. You won’t have every bell and whistle, but we’re really determined to get something that’s usable out to the market and then over time expand on that product.”

The first phase of Admiral will cover traditional spot linear sales, building on the Videa software, which was handling about $800 million worth of revenue before Videa was shut down. Matrix has hired some of Videa’s engineers to get the product up and running, which is expected to be completed in the next six to eight months and in market by fourth quarter of 2022.

At that point, Matrix plans to start selling Admiral to other potential customers. Admiral is being developed by a subsidiary of Matrix called Matrix Sales Gateway LLC. Metrix Solutions is the majority shareholder and Gray, Hearst Graham and CoxReps all have stakes.

As Admiral is developed, Matrix plans to change out the Videa software front end in favor of its own technology.

The next phase of Admiral will be getting the digital and OTT workflows from beginning to end up and running, which should take another six to eight months

“All in all we’re saying within a year to 18 month, the initial release will be up and running,” Gorman said.

Later development will include impression-based linear with dynamic ad insertion workflows, execution systems for ATSC 3.0 and advanced reporting and analytics.

Gorman said Matrix Solutions is also working on a product for network advertising and can also see the product being used by global media companies.

“I have my sights set on world domination,'' he said.■

Broadcasting+Cable has been checking in with various broadcasters about their expectations for this year’s NAB Show, April 23-27 in Las Vegas. Senior content producer, finance Mike Farrell recently spoke with Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb. An edited transcript follows. 

B+C: What are your plans for attending the show this year?

JW: We’re going to be bringing in the largest contingent we ever had to the NAB Show. We’re going to be bringing all of our chief engineers from each of our stations, our corporate engineering staff and a lot of our corporate executive team. We’re going to be bolting onto group meetings on the back side of the show, but we are going to bring all of our chief engineers to the show. 

B+C: Some people have said the NAB Show has a different vibe than other conferences, that there’s the opportunity to meet people on the floor and strike longer-term relationships. How do you feel about that?

JW: I agree with that completely. I think that relationships, partnerships, ideas, that is common at the NAB Show. I certainly will take meetings with people from the finance industry, certainly our technology vendors, other broadcasters, a lot of focus on NextGen TV and working with the Pearl Group. I do think the NAB Show has got a very large footprint beyond the show floor for the attending executives. 

B+C: There’s a different structure this year to the show, especially the three pillars Create, Connect, and Capitalize. Is that a nod to how much the industry is changing?

JW: I think the NAB always does a good job with regard to the themes, to capture the zeitgeist of the industry at the time. I think connection right now is critical. That’s really multilayered. It’s reconnecting people, but it’s also connecting our content to all the different audiences and platforms. Audiences have so many different choices of content, but they also have so many different choices of content sources. So connecting all those different sources I think is really important for broadcasters going forward. Every research study shows that broadcasters, their local content is some of the highest demand content in the marketplace. But they’ve got to make sure they’re contemporary on delivery mechanisms. 

B+C: It also has to be good just to be able to interact personally with colleagues after two years of isolation. 

JW: I think this show is going to be a huge celebration of re-engagement. We are back at our normal attendance throughout Hearst. We had come back in the fall, and then took a break during omicron, but now we’re back in full again. Having just experienced my own management meetings with my leadership, the energy and the excitement of people being together was palpable. I can only imagine what it’s going to be like in Las Vegas when you get thousands and thousands of people together who haven’t seen each other for two years. 

B+C: Are there any ideas or hopes of what you want to accomplish at the show?

JW: I don’t go into these shows with an agenda of what to accomplish, other than to see as many people as I can, learn as much as I can, and come out of it better prepared for the remainder of the year and the next few years.

I applaud the NAB for working through the pandemic as they have, focusing on getting this show to being everything it can be. The transition from [former NAB president and CEO] Gordon [Smith] to Curtis [LeGeyt, current NAB chief] has been seamless, I think the opportunity at the show to acknowledge Gordon is long overdue. I think the industry has circled the NAB Show as its reemergence from the pandemic. ■

Jennifer Hudson has been picked up by Fox Television Stations and Hearst Television for a fall 2022 debut, with the Warner Bros.-produced daytime talker sold in more than 60% of the country so far. 

“As the syndication business continues to go through a major sea change, we need power players to reenergize talk shows and Jennifer Hudson is just that,” said Frank Cicha, executive vice president, programming, Fox Television Stations, in a statement.

The Jennifer Hudson Show joins Fox’s daytime lineup this fall along with Debmar-Mercury’s new talker, Sherri, starring Sherri Shepherd. Sherri will take over Wendy Williams’ time slots on Fox stations.

“I have experienced so much in my life – I’ve seen the highest of the highs, the lowest of the lows, and just about everything in between but as my mother always told me, ‘Once you think you’ve seen it all, just keep on living,’” Hudson said in a statement. 

“People from around the world have been a part of my journey from the beginning – twenty years ago – and I’m so ready to join their journey as we sit down and talk about the things that inspire and move us all. I have always loved people and I cannot wait to connect on a deeper level and let audiences see the different sides of who I am, the human being, in return. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to do it alongside this incredible team. We’re about to have a lot of fun and shake things up a little bit!”

Like her soon-to-be fellow talk-show host, Kelly Clarkson, Hudson first came to fame as a contestant on American Idol, ending her season-three run as a finalist. She went on to win an Oscar for playing Effie in the movie Dreamgirls. She’s also won two Grammys and an Emmy and is a Tony away from an EGOT. She recently starred as Aretha Franklin in the film Respect, a role for which she was hand-picked by Franklin. 

“I knew that Jennifer was a force to be reckoned with from the moment I met her nearly 20 years ago,” said Mike Darnell, president, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, also in a statement. “From her Grammy-winning career in music, to her Oscar-winning acting career, Jennifer’s amazing talent, big heart and authenticity shine through in everything she does. I am thrilled to be working with her in this new role. She’s a natural, and I know audiences will embrace her in their homes every day.”

The Jennifer Hudson Show will be produced in Los Angeles by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures. It will be executive produced by some of the EPs behind Warner Bros.’ The Ellen DeGeneres Show. It is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, led by David Decker, executive vice president, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. ■

Free ad-supported news streaming platform Haystack News said it has increased the number of live streaming channels on its platform including several from Hearst Television.

Haystack said it now offers more than 50 live channels, triple what it has when it started to stream live channels on its platform in November 2020.

“The core of Haystack News remains the custom newscast we build for each and every viewer, but we are pleased to expand our live channel line-up because we know viewers like to watch news in different ways. Haystack News is proud to bring together local, national and world content from hundreds of channels in one spot. We are committed to making Haystack News the most differentiated TV experience available, no matter how you prefer to watch your news,” said Daniel Barreto, co-founder and CEO at Haystack TV. “

Also: Haystack News Launches Live Stream of Newsy

“Hearst has been a tremendous early supporter of Haystack via our longstanding on-demand news content distribution agreement, and we are thrilled to extend our relationship to now include FAST live channel content from its stations across the U.S,” Barreto said. 

Haystack News also said it offers news from more than 400 providers, with live channels from ABC News Live and CBS News Streaming Network  and content from  outfits including Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Quicktake, Cheddar News, DW, Euronews, Newsmax, Newsy, Yahoo Finance. ■ 

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) is the rebranded name of Litton Entertainment. The Los Angeles-based production entity — which also produces weekly syndicated news and politics program, Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien — will be overseen by three newly appointed senior executives, Hearst Television said Thursday. Hearst Television acquired a majority interest in Litton in 2017 and completed the acquisition last year. 

The three executives are Bryan Curb, who has been named executive VP and general manager, educational and informational (E/I) programming; Chris Matthews, who will serve as chief financial officer; and Angelica Rosas McDaniel, who will lead the group’s entertainment unit as executive vice president and general manager, entertainment. 

Curb comes from Litton, where he was chief creative officer. Prior to joining Litton in 2018, he was founder and CEO of Burbank, Calif.-based production company MTO Productions.

Matthews previously was senior vice president and chief financial officer for Litton Entertainment, which he joined in 2016.

McDaniel, who joined Litton from CBS Daytime in 2020, was previously executive vice president, strategy and creative development for the company. She will lead the newly formed entertainment unit of Hearst Media Production Group, which was formed in September and is based in Los Angeles. She was at CBS for nine years, rising to executive vice president of daytime programs and syndicated program development.

“Bryan, Angelica and Chris are savvy media executives who will help propel the new group from a creative, strategic and business standpoint,” said Frank Biancuzzo, president of Hearst Media Production Group, in a statement. “Together with our existing team of strong managers, producers and operational staff, we’re poised for great things ahead.” 

HMPG’s program portfolio comprises more than 30 series, many of them geared toward educational and informational weekend blocks for kids and teens that air on broadcast television networks. ■

Shannon Coggins has been named VP, programming at Hearst Television, based at the company’s New York headquarters.

Coggins will work alongside Emerson Coleman, senior VP, programming, and will succeed him when he retires from Hearst Television in summer 2022. Coggins will oversee planning and acquisitions of syndicated and other entertainment-related programming for the company’s 33 TV stations, working closely with corporate and station management to optimize each station’s programming mix.

“Shannon’s depth of experience in setting strategy and selling quality syndicated programming perfectly positions her for this new opportunity within our leadership team,” Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb said in a statement. “She has exceptional understanding of the programming marketplace and has an outstanding passion and energy for the mission of local television. She will work closely with Emerson over these next several months and is the ideal next-generation executive to succeed him in this important role upon his well-earned retirement.”

“Shannon is the perfect person to help chart a new course for Hearst Television at a very transformative time in our industry,” Coleman said, also in a statement. “She has the vision, business acumen, relationships and proven engagement at the highest levels to position her well to effectively collaborate with both our content partners and her new colleagues throughout Hearst.   She will immediately excel in this role because she has the ideal skillset and the right mindset to enable our stations to continue to distinguish themselves in an increasingly exciting and competitive environment.”

Coggins joins Hearst Television from NBCUniversal where, in her most recent position as VP of syndication sales, she sold a rotating portfolio of first-run and off-network NBC Universal television content to television station groups and local broadcast television stations in 50 markets. She worked closely with the NBC Owned Television Stations group and with various station-group programming executives and national ad-sales rep firms.

After a career start as a marketing associate in the consumer products division of The Walt Disney Co., Coggins joined NBC in 2004 in Burbank in the network’s famous NBC Page program.  She progressed rapidly through a series of increasingly senior NBCUniversal positions in domestic and international marketing and affiliate relations before becoming director of sales in 2009.  She was promoted to vice president of sales in 2016. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the New York State Broadcasters Association.

Coggins holds a bachelor’s degree in political studies, with a minor in media studies, from Pitzer College in Claremont, California.   

Hearst Television said it promoted Michael Hayes to chief operating officer and deputy group head, a new position.

In addition to his new responsibilities, Hayes, who was named executive VP of Hearst TV in 2017, will continue to share oversight of the company’s television and radio stations with executive VPs Ashley Gold and Eric Meyrowitz.

“Over many years Mike has been a cultural beacon for Hearst Television,” said Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb. 

“He has particularly distinguished himself with his leadership, not just at our company but as an important voice in our industry’s ongoing evolution — such as his exceptional chairmanship of the ABC Affiliate Board. Throughout his career, he has amassed an unmatched depth of operational experience, including leading two of Hearst Television’s iconic television stations,” Wertlieb said. “I look forward to working even more closely with Mike as we move Hearst Television forward, and to innovate and assist our businesses to do great things for their audiences, advertisers and communities.” 

Hayes started his broadcast TV career as a sportscaster and producer at WISH-TV in Indianapolis. He held sales and management positions at stations in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Austin, Texas; St. Louis and Peoria, Illinois, before becoming general sales manager of WLWT-TV, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Cincinnati.

He served as general manager for Hearst at WYFF-TV in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, and WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh before becoming senior VP at Hearst TV in 2013. ■

Weather is important everywhere but most certainly in Burlington, Vermont, where Tom Messner covered it for nearly 31 years. In September, he announced he would retire in November, inspiring much local hoopla, including the mayor of Burlington surprising Messner during a remote segment at an ice cream store by declaring “Tom Messner Day.” Messner joined NBC5 in 1990, becoming a beloved and respected chief meteorologist on the early evening, 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts. In 2016, he was inducted into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. 

Local TV Awards: Celebrating 2021’s Station Standouts

“It is nearly impossible to measure the impact Tom Messner has had on our communities,” WPTZ president and general manager Ryan Rothstein said. “He’s been a constant, welcome face on television screens in homes across our region for more than three decades, providing reassurance and comfort during countless severe weather events, flashing his signature smile that lit up every newscast and every community event that he was a part of.”

Hearst Television named Justin Antoniotti president and general manager of its stations in Kansas City, KMBC-TV, and KCWE-TV, effective Jan. 1.

Antoniotti, previously GM at Hearst’s WGAL-TV in the Lancaster-Harrisburg, Lebanon, York, Pennsylvania, market, succeeds Sarah Smith, who announced plans to retire at the end of the year. Before WGAL, Antoniotti ran Hearst’s stations in the Burlington, Vermont-Plattsburgh, N.Y., market.

“Justin has achieved terrific success in each of his roles with Hearst Television,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “Having managed at a variety of television stations, including some of the company’s heritage properties, he has a keen understanding of the impact Hearst stations have in the communities they serve. This, coupled with his experience running our duopoly in Burlington-Plattsburgh, including launching the market’s first full power CW station, makes him the ideal executive to lead KMBC and KCWE.”

Before Burlington, Antoniotti was a news director at Hearst’s WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh and WYFF-TV, Greenville, S.C., and assistant news director at WISN-TV, Milwaukee. Prior to joining Hearst, he did time in Houston, Memphis, Biloxi and Columbia, Missouri.

Antoniotti’s father Steve was also in the television business, first in news, later as the GM of stations including WADL-TV, Detroit. ■

Peter Keith was promoted to president and general manager at Hearst Television’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, Hearst said.

Keith has been general sales manager since 2017. He succeeds Michael Neelly, who moved up to run WDSU-TV, Hearst’s station in New Orleans.

Keith is being replaced as WAPT’s general sales manager by Ayanna Carver. Carver has been local sales manager at the station since 2018.

“Throughout his entire time at Hearst Television, Peter has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, team building skills, and a strong aptitude for developing sales talent,” said Jordan Wertlieb, Hearst Television president. “Having worked closely with some of our most talented general managers has prepared him well to lead WAPT into the future.”  

Keith originally joined WAPT in 2013 as national sales manager. He moved in 2015 to Hearst’s WVTM-TV in Birmingham as local sales manager for two years, before coming back to WAPT. He began his career as an account executive at WKRG-TV in the Mobile/Pensacola market.

Carver started working for Hearst at the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina office where she managed commercial traffic logs and inventory for WAPT and another station. She left the company to work for stations in Charlotte and Raleigh before returning to Hearst at WAPT.

“Ayanna has done an outstanding job as WAPT’s local sales manager, building and inspiring a growing team of sellers. I know that, as general sales manager, she will help fuel further growth for this great station,” said Keith. ■

Dave Morgan, founder, president and CEO of Litton Entertainment, and Pete Sniderman, Litton’s COO, will retire at the end of the year, Hearst Television announced.

Hearst bought a majority interest in Litton in 2017 and acquired the balance earlier this year.

Litton’s management and creative teams will report to Frank Biancuzo, president of Hearst Media Production Group. 

Litton has 32 series in syndication and on broadcast networks. It has two streaming channels--Xplore and The Jack Hanna Channel--and its shows air internationally in 97 countries.

“Over the course of three decades, Dave has built a tremendous organization, recognized by the industry for unique programming that entertains, educates and inspires,” said Biancuzzo. “Together with Pete Sniderman, they’ve positioned the company for an exciting and innovative period of growth.”

Morgan founded Litton Entertainment in 1989.

“I’m most proud of our Litton partnerships and my Litton colleagues who helped me define the gold standard in quality, educational television in America. I leave the television industry better than I found it,” Morgan said. “We created a great company, and we’re pleased that Hearst Media Production Group will bring the resources to help grow Litton to the next level.”

Sniderman has overseen Litton’s expansion since 1995 through leadership of several divisions including corporate and advertising sales partnerships, international sales, programming acquisitions, network partnerships, Litton's news division and Litton News Source.

“I’m so gratified to have had the opportunity to make a contribution to programming that educated generations of young people,” Sniderman said. “And I’m excited for the future of the enterprise -- the people and the projects.” ■

Sarah Smith, who has served as president and general manager of Hearst Television’s KMBC-TV and KCWE-TV in Kansas City since 2011, will retire at the end of the year.

Smith has been in the TV business four nearly four decades, spending the last 15 with Hearst. Before Kansas City, she was the head of Hearst’s KETV in Omaha.

Hearst said it will name a successor to Smith at a later date.

“Throughout her impressive career, Sarah has tirelessly advocated for the power of local television in our communities,” said Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb. “She did an outstanding job leading and growing three important properties, including two of the highest-rated ABC affiliates in the country. She has been an important voice in our company and leaves a tremendous legacy that will continue to be felt in the years ahead. We wish her great success in her well-deserved next chapter.” 

Smith started her career as a local account executive at KOTV, Tulsa. She moved to Los Angeles with Telerep before working at stations in Indianapolis, Sacramento, Austin and the Chico-Redding and Eureka, California market.

She was named Broadcasting+Cable's General Manager of the Year, in markets 51 and higher, for 2010.

“I’ve been blessed to work with so many great people,” Smith said. “Their creativity and commitment have been crucial to the ongoing success of KMBC/KCWE, as well as KETV, and I have had the wonderful support of the nurturing culture of Hearst Television.”

Smith plans to turn her attention full time to her family farm overlooking East Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.■ 

GetTV, the Sony network showing classic TV shows, said it has made deals to boost its over the air distribution on stations’ secondary digital channels.

New multi-station deals with E.W. Scripps, Tegna and Hearst TV will put getTV on more robust signals, the network said.

Digital over-the-air is a growing part of the industry as more viewers cut the cord and rely on a combination of broadcast signals and streaming services. 

Station groups including Scripps, Tegna and Sinclair have been creating networks to meet the demand from viewers who are choosing not to subscribe to traditional pay-TV services via cable and satellite.

Sony is also looking to add distribution by negotiating for carriage on virtual multichannel video programming distributors. GetTV has been recently added on fubo TV, Philo and Frndly TV.

GetTV is also carried on satellite by Dish.

“We are transitioning the over-the-air distribution footprint of getTV by being more aggressive in the marketplace and aligning with broadcasters who can give us full power, Big 4, stations as shown by these three new multi-station deals and we’re looking to get more,” Tim Carry, executive VP, distribution for Game Show Network and getTV.

With the new deals, getTV is available on broadcast stations covering 85% of U.S. TV households. Of the about 120 stations it is being carried by, 32 are now ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox affiliates. The network is available over the air in 48 of the top 50 DMAs.

GetTV airs classic shows of all eras, mainly from the Sony Pictures Entertainment TV and film library. Its schedule includes comedies Good Times and All In The Family, action series like Walker, Texas Ranger, a “Primetime is Crimetime” weeknight block featuring Kojak, Mike Hammer, Starsky & Hutch and Charlie’s Angels and a slate of vintage westerns all weekend.

Hearst Television has launched Hearst Audience Marketplace, which provides marketers with data to target advertising on connected TV, over-the-top and programmatic display and video platforms.

The Audience Marketplace is the newest addition to Hearst Anyscreen, the targeted advertising platform the company launched in 2018. Hearst projects that its Anyscreen revenue will grow more than 40% in 2021.

"Our clients increasingly look to us for a range of solutions that can include the unparalleled mass-audience reach of broadcast television and the latest in audience-targeting technology,” said Jordan Wertlieb, Hearst Television president. “With Hearst Audience Marketplace we’re able to deliver on their needs with consistently brand-safe premium inventory.”

Using the Audience marketplace, advertisers can target viewers based on classic audiences, built using demographic, behavioral and lifestyle characteristics; or Hearst Audience Personas, a collection of profiles based on consumer interests, perchance history and online and offline behavior; or custom-created audiences.

Also Read: Gerry McGavick Promoted to Director of Sales at Hearst TV

Hearst Anyscreen combines preferred access to Hearst-owned programming, including the Very Local, Hearst’s new over-the-top offering, with an array of leading delivery and analytics partners and direct-to-publisher alliances.

“Marketers want data-driven solutions that support their efforts to reach current and prospective customers,” added Jonathan Sumber, Hearst Television VP of digital sales. “This requires expertise around what is effective, what is privacy-compliant, and what enables it all to work at any scale. Hearst Audience Marketplace is designed to enable any business, from the smallest local shop to the largest multinational, to benefit easily from sophisticated targeting tools without having to become data experts.”

Risking its relationships with cable operators that pay retransmission fees for its programming, Hearst Television said it is making its news content available over-the-top and on an ad-supported connected TV channel called Very Local.

Very Local channels will be available in 26 markets where Hearst owns TV stations via Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Android TV.

Hearst is coming to the OTT party a bit late. Sinclair launched its Stirr service in 2019 and Gray Television has backed Syncbak’s VUit which features programming from 200 stations. Cox Media Group put its stations on VUit earlier this month.

Hearst said its Very Local channels are now available via VUit and Fox’s Tubi. In the near feature they will be on the Amazon News app and Sinclair’s NewsON.

Very Local will feature all aspects of local, regional and national news; consumer news and investigative reporting; and Hearst Television regional and national content brands such as its Chronicle news magazine series and its issues program Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien. 

It will also include video content from Hearst magazine brands.

Hearst Television said it promoted Gerry McGavick to corporate director of sales, a new post. 

McGavick had been director of sales for Hearst’s WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H., since 2017 and the company’s director of political advertising since 2019.

In his new role, McGavick will look to boost revenues and serve as premier liaison with agencies, rep firms and other buyers. He will continue to supervise political ad sales and oversee Hearst’s sales account associate program.

Hearst said it will name a successor as head of sales at WMUR at a future date.

Also Read: Emerson Coleman, SVP at Hearst Television, To Retire in Summer 2022

“Gerry has done terrific work in expanding and enhancing our relationships with clients across the country,” said Hearst Television executive VP Eric Meyrowitz.  “His years of experience in both national and local advertising are an invaluable resource for our stations and national sales representatives to have at their disposal. In this new role, he will also expand on the good work he has already done in developing the next generation of local account executives.”

Meyrowitz, who had been senior VP of sales, and Ashley Gold, VP of sales, were promoted to group heads at Hearst earlier this month.

Before WMUR, McGavick was general manager of WBIN-TV, Derry, N.H., which was acquired by Univision and shut down in 2017. He also held posts at WLVI-TV, Boston, and rep firm Harrington, Righter & Parsons. 

McGavick started his advertising career at ad agency Jordan McGrath Case & Taylor.

Hearst Television said it launched Hearst Media Production Group and named Frank Biancuzzo as the unit’s president.

Hearst Media Production Group will develop and produce original programming for distribution to television stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. 

It will work with Hearst TV’s studio resources and form partnerships with outside production entities, the company said.

The new unit will also incorporate Hearst Television’s existing national program resources, including Litton Entertainment, which produces and distributes TV programming, children’s educational and informational content; and the political magazine show Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, now entering its seventh season. 

“Hearst Media Production Group is a logical progression in our longstanding strategy of producing and owning more content which can be leveraged across linear and digital platforms,” said Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb. “Frank is among the broadcast television industry’s most versatile, creative, and highly regarded executives, and he will have the resources to expand our programming relationships and original content portfolio.”

Biancuzzo was executive VP and group head at Hearst Television. Before that he was general manager of Hearst’s WISN-TV in Milwaukee, and part of Hearst TV’s marketing and promotion team. Prior to joining Hearst, he was with Frank N. Magid Associates.

A successor to Biancuzzo as group head will be announced at a later date, Hearst said.

“This is a pivotal time in our industry with a strong demand for original programming across all platforms,” Biancuzzo said. “We look forward to building on our past successes, while developing new and distinctive programming from a creative, strategic and business partnership standpoint.”

Emerson Coleman, Hearst Television’s senior VP of programming, will retire next summer, Hearst announced Tuesday. 

Coleman has served in his current role since 2018 and been with Hearst since 1990. During that time, he has overseen the company’s program development and acquisitions and launched several public-affairs programs, including the nationally syndicated weekly half-hour Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien. 

“Emerson’s impactful voice and leadership have been cultural cornerstones of Hearst Television for nearly a quarter century,” Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb said in a statement. “Throughout his career he has provided invaluable and thoughtful counsel to many executives and on-air talent in the industry, putting an indelible mark on non-fiction programming and countless careers. He is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met, exuding grace and class in every way.”

Coleman joined Hearst as vice president and director of broadcast operations at WBAL Baltimore. It was there he first developed the nationally syndicated news and information series, The Remarkable Journey, which was distributed by NBC and sold to UPN. Prior to that, Coleman had held senior production roles at WBZ Boston and WJZ Baltimore. While at WJZ, he was executive producer of local news.

“When you watch the credits at the end of a presentation, they don’t always tell the whole story,” Coleman said in a statement. “I am very proud to have contributed to a company that has made possible impressive projects such as the Song for New Orleans and Seven Days that Changed New Orleans specials following Hurricane Katrina, and the Matter of Fact Listening Tour digital series in response to the massive protests demanding justice for George Floyd. 

“Those monumental undertakings represent the kinds of initiatives that have afforded me the opportunity to elevate important voices, share untold stories and pass on what I have learned to another generation. Credit to a company whose leadership has made a genuine impact globally, locally -- and consistently -- and found a way to meet the difficult challenges of our world head on.”

Hearst will name Coleman’s successor at a later date.

Christina Romano has been named associate program producer at Hearst Television’s weekly syndicated show Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien. Romano has previously produced news reports for such outlets as PBS, CNN, ABC, Yahoo News and other outlets. 

“At Matter of Fact we are not everyday storytellers, and Christina’s is not an everyday story,” Emerson Coleman, senior VP, programming, Hearst Television, said in a statement. “She brings a rare variety of global assignments and news-making interviews to this new role. As Matter of Fact enters its seventh season, Christina’s wealth of broadcast and digital production experience, and her knowledge, insight, creativity and versatility bring an added dimension to the show as we pursue new and engaging stories with both a local and global outlook as well as timeless appeal.”

Recently, Romano produced Matter of Fact host Soledad O’Brien’s special interview with Vice President Kamala Harris for BET and the interview later aired on Matter of Fact. Other high-profile interviews she has produced include Monica Lewinsky, Jordan’s Queen Noor, former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell, and former President Bill Clinton’s sit-down with Diane Sawyer following his heart surgery.

After graduating from Boston University, Romano spent two years in Madrid where she worked with an ABC News producer assisting in covering Spain's national elections and other stories. 

Also Read: Informing the Community and Bringing It Together

After moving to New York, she took a job as a receptionist at ABC’s 20/20, where she worked her way up to senior producer and head writer for ABC’s GMA Weekend. She also worked as a producer for ABC’s Primetime Live before moving to NBC-owned WRC Washington, D.C., where she served as senior producer. Along the way, she’s earned a Peabody, Front Page Award, two Gracie Awards and two Emmy nominations.  

Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, which is produced by Hearst Television and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, reaches approximately 95% of U.S. TV households in local television markets.

Paige Harrison, WCVB Boston news director, has been named VP of news at Hearst Television. She begins July 1 and relocates to company headquarters in New York. She will report to Barbara Maushard, senior VP of news, and succeeds Andrew Vrees, who was named president and general manager of Hearst TV’s WMUR Manchester (New Hampshire). 

“Paige has had tremendous success at every assignment throughout her career with Hearst,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “Most notably, her leadership style and insight make her not only an exceptional addition to our outstanding corporate team, but an invaluable resource for our local news leadership and national enterprise news units.” 

Harrison has spent 18 years at Hearst TV. Before joining WCVB, she was news director at WPBF West Palm Beach. She previously worked in news at WESH Orlando, KOCO Oklahoma City and WTAE Pittsburgh. 

“Paige’s breadth and depth of experience is universally recognized by her colleagues and industry peers,” Maushard said. “Her keen eye for news and the evolution of news consumption positions her perfectly to help move Hearst Television news operations forward in serving audiences with relevant, factual content wherever they seek it.”

A Michigan native, Harrison was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

WCVB has not named a new news director.