February 13, 2013

Tribune Appoints Larry Wert President of Local Broadcasting Tribune Company announces the appointment of veteran television and radio executive Larry Wert as President of its local broadcasting businesses. Wert will be responsible for directing the strategy and operations of Tribune's 23 local television stations and WGN-AM Radio in Chicago. Wert will assume his new role in the near future and he will report directly to Tribune CEO Peter Liguori. "Larry's talent, creativity, and broad television, digital and radio experience make him the ideal person to lead our local broadcasting and radio businesses," says Liguori. "Larry is also a skilled manager of people, an innovative programmer, and understands the important role our local TV news operations play in the communities we serve." Wert, 56, who has more than 30 years of broadcasting experience, joined WMAQ-TV (NBC5) in Chicago as President/General Manager in January 1998. In April 2008, he was named President, Central & Western Region, NBC Local Media, overseeing five NBC-owned television stations: KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, KNTV-TV in San Francisco, KNSD-TV in San Diego, KXAS-TV in Dallas and WMAQ-TV in Chicago. In September 2011, he was named EVP/Station Initiatives for NBC-owned stations. "My 15 years at NBC have been rewarding and I have no doubt that NBC Chicago and Comcast are on the upswing," says Wert. "Tribune has a rich history of broadcast excellence, powerful television and radio media businesses and an extremely talented staff. I am excited by the opportunity to build on this great foundation--I can't wait to get started." Nils Larsen, President of Tribune Broadcasting, will assist Wert in the transition to his new position with Tribune. WEEI Boston 'Big Show' Co-Host Glenn Ordway Is Out Sports Talk WEEI-FM, Boston, says it is "parting ways" with Glenn Ordway, co-host of "The Big Show." Ordway announced on-air Wednesday (Feb. 13) that his final day will be this Friday. WEEI says Michael Holley will serve as host of "The Big Show" for the "foreseeable future" and the station expects to make an announcement in the coming days about Holley's new co-host. Holley and Ordway were paired two years ago this month. Holley had previously co-hosted middays since 2005. Ordway received a Marconi for Large Market Personality of the Year in 2007. "Glenn and I have been together since day one. He is an icon in this business and he helped build WEEI into arguably the most successful sports station in history," says VP of Programming and Operations Jason Wolfe. "I am so thankful to have been able to work alongside Glenn for the past 20-plus years and I hope that all Boston sports fans realize how important his contributions have been to this station, to the market and to this industry. He's a true professional and that was clearer than ever in his comments today." Meanwhile, Boston.com reports: "A seismic shakeup at sports radio station WEEI Tuesday brought to an end the tenure of longtime host Glenn Ordway, who was fired by parent company Entercom after a gradual decline in ratings. Ordway, who spent 17 years at WEEI, will be replaced on its afternoon drive program by Mike Salk, a Boston native who has co-hosted a program on 710 ESPN in Seattle [KIRO-AM] since 2009." KLBJ-AM Austin Reporter Dies from Crash Injuries Emmis "Newsradio 590" KLBJ-AM, Austin, reporter Barbara McCarley died Wednesday (Feb. 13) after suffering critical injuries in a car crash, Tuesday. The station says she "started reporting local news in Austin in 1998 and was the best. She was assigned to cover City Hall, but also covered many breaking news stories." Reports from Austin say McCarley, 48, was driving one of the station’s news vehicles when it hit another vehicle that swerved into her lane. An Austin police officer said that the driver of a green Saab attempted to change into the right lane when the driver lost control and swerved into the eastbound lanes..McCarley died from her injuries at University Medical Center Brackenridge on Wednesday. Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan issued a statement on the accident, and the loss of McCarley: "It saddens me to tell you that we've lost a dear member of the Emmis family today [Feb. 13]. We just received word from Scott Gilmore that long-time Emmis Austin News Associate and Reporter Barbara McCarley passed away this morning after being involved in a tragic car accident yesterday. Barbara has been a valuable member of our Austin radio team for over 14 years. As Scott said to his team this morning, 'Barbara was well-loved by her co-workers and we will all miss her bright personality terribly.' Please keep Barbara's husband, Robert, and her two children, John and Katherine, in your thoughts and prayers. This will be a very difficult time for them, friends and her Emmis family in Austin."