Meet The CW Network’s New EVP/Distribution

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LOS ANGELES — With the reunification of Viacom and CBS Corp., the SVP and Director of Sales for CBS Television Stations found herself in a position to transition.


Now, she’s landed as EVP of distribution for The CW Network, reporting to Chairman/CEO Mark Pedowitz.

Taking the role is Betty Ellen Berlamino, who had been at CBS since June 2015 and responsible for eight sales offices for the O&Os under the CBS banner.

Now, Berlamino will be responsible for all network distribution and affiliate relations at The CW. This puts her in the role of the CW’s primary liaison with its station groups and MVPDs — a tricky job in a world where retransmission consent agreements are costlier and testier than ever.

The CW’s affiliate marketing activities will be jointly managed by both Berlamino and Rick Haskins, the network’s President of Streaming and Chief Brand Officer.

“In an ever-evolving broadcast television distribution landscape, our partnerships with
our affiliate stations continue to be critical to the success of our overall business strategy,” Pedowitz said. “Betty Ellen is the ideal executive to lead The CW’s distribution efforts as we look for new ways to grow and enhance our network distribution platforms. Betty Ellen’s industry knowledge, relationships and local media experience will make her an invaluable addition to The CW’s leadership team.”

Before her most recent role at CBS Television Stations, Berlamino was President/GM of WLNY-55 in Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y., within the New York DMA and a sister of WCBS-2.

But, it is the many years before joining CBS that is noteworthy, as she served as President/GM of WPIX-11 in New York — the former Tribune Media property that is the CW flagship in the Big Apple.

Before enjoying a 17-year tenure in that role, Berlamino was VP/Station Manager from October 1998-December 2000 and, prior to that, the five-year GSM.

From 1988-1993, Berlamino served as LSM of sibling KTLA-5 in Los Angeles.

Berlamino began her career in local sales at KCOP-13 in Los Angeles.