Television

Channels 2 & 9 get a new boss

Patrick McClenahan is out as the KCBS/KCAL duopoly's president and general manager. In is Steve Mauldin, who has been overseeing the CBS duopoly in Dallas/Fort Worth. Some analysis by Michael Schneider at Variety notes that Maludin used to work here at Channel 7 and that McClenahan's future plans are unclear. Release after the jump.

Steve Mauldin has been named President and General Manager of CBS Television Station’s Los Angeles properties – KCBS-TV and KCAL-TV, it was announced today by Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations. Mauldin, who most recently served as President and General Manager of the company’s Dallas/Fort Worth duopoly KTVT-TV (CBS) and KTXA-TV (independent) will now oversee all operations for the Los Angeles properties, which comprise the country’s largest local station duopoly. He will report to Dunn.

“Steve is one of our most experienced executives running major market duopolies, having done so in both Dallas and Miami to great effect – both in terms of driving sales growth and leading his stations to first place in late news,” said Dunn. “He is a local TV veteran who was successful in Los Angeles earlier in his career, knows the intricacies of our business very well, and brings purpose and vision to every assignment he’s given. Los Angeles is a huge market for CBS and we’re privileged to have one of our strongest operators leading the charge.”

“I’m very excited to return to the Los Angeles market and embrace this terrific opportunity,” said Mauldin. “The past six years in Dallas have been the most fulfilling years in my career and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. But I’m looking forward to this new challenge, and Los Angeles is such a huge, diverse market with unlimited opportunities for growth – including new initiatives with our CBS Local Media partners at the seven CBS RADIO stations in this market. I’m eager to work with Peter and all the employees of KCBS and KCAL who have made the stations a true comeback story.”

Mauldin, a 32-year television industry veteran, most recently served as President and General Manager of the company’s Dallas duopoly KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV. Under his leadership, KTVT finished the November 2009 sweep in first place in late news for the first time ever. He also for a time oversaw the company’s entire southwest portfolio when it owned stations in Austin and Oklahoma City. Before that he was President and GM of its Miami duopoly, WFOR-TV Channel 4 and WBFS-TV Channel 33 (and for a while WTVX-TV West Palm Beach, before the station was sold). While in Miami, WFOR rose from last to first place in late news. Previously, Mauldin served as president and general manager of WTSP-TV, Gannett's CBS affiliate in Tampa, Fla. Before that, he was vice president and general manager of Gaylord Broadcasting Company’s KHTV-TV Houston; vice president and station manager KTVT-TV Dallas, when it was owned by Gaylord Broadcasting; and vice president and general manager of WVUE-TV, New Orleans. He began his television career as an account executive at KOSA-TV in Odessa, Texas, and later held sales positions at KABC-TV Los Angeles and ABC Spot Sales in Los Angeles.

Mauldin will succeed Patrick McClenahan as the duopoly's President and General Manager. McClenahan is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

"Patrick McClenahan has been a valued member of our team, especially during times of change and uncertainty," Dunn added. "We sincerely thank him for his many contributions to our success over the years and wish him the very best in his future endeavors."


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