Westwood One announced Townsquare Media vet George King has been hired as VP/Programming, Network Formats. He’ll oversee the company’s Country 24-hour formats, which air on nearly 700 stations nationwide, including Mainstream Country, Hot Country, Classic Country and Real Country 24-hour radio formats.
He succeeds John Paul, who left in July for Washington Interstate Broadcasting.
“George’s experience in markets large and small, along with his position in the country music world, makes him a perfect fit for this role at Westwood One,” said Kirk Stirland, President of Network Programming. “He’s joining an all-star programming management team, and he will be working with a first-rate air staff, on our biggest format category.
King most recently was Regional Operations Manager and Western Region Brand Leader/Country for Townsquare, after a career that included stops as OM at WCTO & WLEV/Allentown and for CCME/San Antonio. He also served in programming positions at WMZQ/Washington, KCYY & KKYX/San Antonio, and KNIX & KOY-AM/Phoenix. He has been nominated twice by Country Aircheck for “Medium Market Program Director of the Year,” is a past ACM board member, and has served on the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Agenda Committee.
“The way Westwood One is able to integrate local content into a national feed will continue to be an essential way our business moves successfully into the future,” commented King. “I’m truly excited to work with this remarkable technology, and on the team creating radio with it.”
King will be based in Westwood One’s 24-hour Format production center in Denver, and will begin on 9/15.
