Erik Schrader has been named president and general manager of KSNW, LIN Media’s NBC affiliate in Wichita.
It is a move within LIN Media for Schrader, who has been news director of WTNH in Hartford-New Haven since 2011. Schrader’s last day at WTNH was last week.
“As News Director for one of our largest markets, Erik transformed the stations’ largest single department into a multi-faceted operation with award-winning, multiplatform content creators that work hand-in-hand with every department in a cohesive way,” LIN Media EVP of television Scott Blumenthal said in a statement. “He brings a skill set to one of our newly acquired television stations that will be very important to its growth and development.”
His appointment is effective immediately. Read the official announcement after the jump.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–August 21, 2013– LIN Media LLC (“LIN Media”) (NYSE:LIN), a local multimedia company, announced today that Erik Schrader has been appointed President and General Manager of KSNW-TV, the local NBC affiliate, in Wichita, KS. Mr. Schrader was promoted to this position after serving as News Director since 2011 for WTNH-TV, the local ABC affiliate, and WCTX-TV, the local MyNetwork TV affiliate, in Hartford-New Haven, CT, the 30(th) largest Demographic Market Area in the U.S.
In his new role that is effective immediately, Mr. Schrader will provide strategic direction, leadership and operational management for KSNW-TV. He will report to Scott Blumenthal, LIN Media’s Executive Vice President Television.
In announcing the appointment, Mr. Blumenthal said, “As News Director for one of our largest markets, Erik transformed the stations’ largest single department into a multi-faceted operation with award-winning, multiplatform content creators that work hand-in-hand with every department in a cohesive way,” stated Mr. Blumenthal. “He brings a skill set to one of our newly acquired television stations that will be very important to its growth and development.”
Mr. Schrader comes to KSNW-TV with over 20 years of television news experience. Prior to joining LIN Media, Mr. Schrader served as News Director at several stations, including KODE-TV in Joplin, MO; KSPR-TV in Springfield, MO; WJCL-TV/WTGS-TV in Savannah, GA; and WNEP-TV in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA. While at WTNH-TV, Mr. Schrader provided market-leading multiscreen coverage of many national events, including Hurricane Sandy and the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“KSNW-TV has done a terrific job serving viewers in central and western Kansas,” said Mr. Schrader. “I look forward to becoming a part of this outstanding community and working with the station’s talented employees to enhance our community presence, strengthen our news position across all platforms and develop innovative multiscreen marketing solutions for local advertisers.”
Mr. Schrader received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Missouri Southern State University. He will reside in Wichita with his wife Sarah, a former newscast director.