CINCINNATI, May 20 OH-Scripps-TV-Tampa
CINCINNATI, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Richard Pegram III, who has
led market-leading television stations for more than two decades, has been
named vice president and general manager of WFTS, the ABC affiliate in Tampa,
Fla., owned by The E. W. Scripps Company.
After 13 years as president and general manager of WTHR, the top-ranked
affiliate in Indianapolis, and 13 years as executive vice president and
general manager of WTVR, the sign-on-to-sign-off leader in Richmond, Va.,
Pegram begins his new role in Tampa on May 28.
"For more than a quarter of a century, Rich Pegram's name has been
synonymous in broadcast circles with excellence and leadership," said Bill
Peterson, senior vice president of the Scripps Television Station Group. "His
trophy case is filled with the most-prestigious awards in the industry, and he
knows how to take share from competitors in the market. More importantly, his
emphasis on high-quality local news and his belief in operating a powerful
Internet business will make WFTS even more valuable to Tampa."
Pegram, 56, tripled the revenue of WTHR - and doubled its share of revenue
in the Indianapolis market - since taking over the station in 1994. Among the
many accolades garnered by the WTHR during his tenure were a Peabody Award,
three Edward R. Murrow Awards, and two national Emmys. The NBC affiliate also
has the most-viewed television Web site in Indiana.
Pegram maintained WTVR's status as the top-rated station in Richmond from
sign-on to sign-off for 11 straight years. The CBS affiliate was named best
news operation of the year by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB)
three times during his tenure from 1981 to 1994, and in 1988 it was the first
Virginia station to win best news operation awards from the VAB, United Press
International and Associated Press in the same year. The station was
recognized by the VAB for having the best community service campaign every
year from 1987 to 1992.
From 1973 to 1979, Pegram held multiple broadcasting sales roles in North
Carolina.
He served on the Indiana Association of Broadcasters board from 1999 to
2007, and was its chairman in 2005. Similarly, he was on the VAB board from
1989 to 1994, and was its chairman in 1992.
His dedication to community service has benefited Indianapolis, where he
has held leadership positions with the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce,
the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Crime Stoppers, the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Ballet Theater and the "500" Festival.
Pegram received his bachelor's degree from the University of North
Carolina.
About Scripps
The E. W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) is a diverse and growing media
enterprise with interests in national cable networks, newspaper publishing,
broadcast television stations, interactive media, and licensing and
syndication.
The company's portfolio of media properties includes: Scripps Networks,
with such brands as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great
American Country; daily and community newspapers in 15 markets and the
Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News
Service; 10 broadcast TV stations, including six ABC-affiliated stations,
three NBC affiliates and one independent; Scripps Interactive Media, including
leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch;
and United Media, a leading worldwide licensing and syndication company that
is the home of PEANUTS, DILBERT and approximately 150 other features and
comics.
SOURCE The E. W. Scripps Company
