On June 19, word leaked out via the Gannett-owned newspaper serving Kentucky’s largest market that Block Communications VP of Broadcast Operations and WDRB-41 in Louisville GM Bill Lamb would be leaving July 5 for a big gig in a “top 10 market station.”
They weren’t kidding. Lamb is heading to Southern California for a big role at two of the nation’s biggest broadcast TV stations.
“Decisions like these are always difficult, but I have been made an offer to run a television station in a top 10 market and I couldn’t turn down the challenge,” Lamb wrote in an internal e-mail obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal. “WDRB has never been stronger and I think I am leaving it with a brilliant future.”
Lamb has been with WDRB since 2002, and he’ll now serve as VP/GM of KCOP-13 and KTTV-11 in Los Angeles, the FOX O&Os that serve as the No. 2 DMA’s home to MyNetwork TV and FOX programming.
In Louisville, Lamb is best known for his “Point of View” editorials on the political and cultural issues of the day, a segment Lamb pioneered and one he plans to continue in Los Angeles.
Before joining WDRB, he was VP/GM of then-Midwest Television-owned WMBD-TV, WMBD-AM & WPBG-FM in Peoria, Ill. He’s also held a stint as GSM of WPLG-10 in Miami, from 1993-1995.
At present, outgoing KCOP & KTTV GM Bob Cook helms such segments under the same name. Cook has been chosen to lead distribution for Fox Television Stations.
In a statement, Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy said of Cook, “Bob’s successful track record in syndication spans decades, so leading our distribution efforts for FTS was a natural fit.”
Block said it will take three or four months to find a general manager to replace Lamb. WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill. GM Ricky Joseph has been named acting general manager of WDRB.
