MIAMI BEACH — Twenty-four hours ago, Nexstar Media Group founder and CEO Perry Sook was the star of the show during NATPE Miami’s TV-focused summit in a conference room ensconced deep inside the Fontainebleau resort.
Who knew that the now-largest broadcast TV station owner in the U.S. had just decided who will succeed the retiring Don Corsini at its big L.A. property.
It’s Janene Drafs, who was appointed Thursday (1/23) as VP/GM of KTLA-5, a crown jewel in what was once Tribune Media and now perhaps Nexstar’s biggest broadcast property outside of WGN-9 in Chicago, and WPIX-11 in New York.
Drafs will begin her new duties on February 10 and reports to Nexstar Broadcasting COO Brian Jones.
Corsini has guided the station as President and General Manager since 2009, overseeing KTLA-TV’s “unprecedented expansion of local news and setting records for ratings, revenue growth, and profitability during his tenure.” KTLA-5 is known for its many hours of local news surrounding The CW Network’s programming and for its self-produced coverage of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade every New Year’s Day from Pasadena, Calif.
Drafs will arrive in Hollywood from Seattle, where she has been VP/GM of Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned KOMO-TV and KUNS-TV since 2013. She also had oversight of KVI-AM, KOMO-AM & FM and KPLZ-FM, radio stations Sinclair has kept since acquiring the two TV stations from Fisher Communications.
Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly noted that Nexstar owned the Seattle media properties.
Prior to assuming her current role, Ms. Drafs held positions of increasing responsibility at KUNS-TV and KOMO-TV, where she began her career as an account executive in 1992.
“Janene is the perfect choice to take the reins of leadership at KTLA-TV,” said Jones. “She worked her way up the ladder over the course of her career at KOMO-TV, and later at KUNS-TV, beginning in an entry-level sales position, and finishing as the leader of multiple media properties in one of the country’s largest markets. Through strategic vision and determined leadership, Janene has successfully met every challenge that she’s encountered. She also has a vast amount of experience in programming, sales, station operations and establishing meaningful community partnerships. She understands the importance of creating and developing unique local content and finding new ways to grow the local audience and meet the needs of advertisers and marketers. I am looking forward to working with her as she guides KTLA-TV in the years to come.”
Drafs added, “My path through sales, programming, operations, and management has provided me with the kind of on-the-job experience one must possess to lead a station like the local powerhouse that is KTLA, and I am grateful to Nexstar for giving me this opportunity. From its dominance in local news to its innovative approach to local programming, such as its live coverage of the Oscars and the Rose Bowl Parade, KTLA’s reputation for excellence is well-earned. I am looking forward to working alongside the station’s talented and experienced team of professionals at such an exciting time.”
