Hearst-Argyle Television has named James J. Carter president and general manager of its WESH-TV, an NBC affiliate, and WKCF-TV, a CW affiliate. Both stations serve the Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne market in Florida.
Mr. Carter has been president and general manager of Hearst-Argyle’s CBS affiliate WLKY-TV in Louisville, Ky., since 1999.
His assignment as successor to the retiring Bill Bauman in Orlando is effective immediately. The name of Mr. Carter’s successor is still to come.
“Jim has been an outstanding executive for our company over the past 20 years,” Hearst-Argyle President and CEO David Barrett said in Wednesday’s announcement. “Most recently, his leadership of WLKY has been most impressive, notably in the area of top-quality local news, critically acclaimed community service and solid growth in ratings, revenue and profitability. Jim will help the WESH/WKCF team build on the successes they’ve achieved in the Orlando market.”
Under Mr. Carter’s management, WLKY has had the top-rated late news in Louisville for 21 of the last 22 rating periods. In addition to the NAB Education Foundation’s Service to America (Television) Award, which recognizes a single U.S. TV station for the totality of its efforts in serving the community, WLKY earned nine 2007 regional Emmy Awards including those for station excellence and news excellence. It also earned eight 2007 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including those for overall excellence and news excellence.
Mr. Carter moved to WLKY-TV from WTAE-TV, Hearst-Argyle’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he was sales VP.