Ex-ABC O&Os Get New GMs in Ownership Change

By Andrew Gauthier 

The two former ABC O&Os recently sold to SJL Broadcasting now have new station heads. The general managers of both WJRT in Flint and WTVG in Toledo have decided to leave their posts and SJL has appointed replacements.

WJRT’s Tom Bryson and WTVG’s David Zamichow have opted to leave on their own, according to Broadcasting & Cable, as SJL prepares to take over ownership of the stations this week.

“Both of them are class people,” SJL president George Lilly told B&C. “We would’ve kept both in a heartbeat.”

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Bryson and Zamichow are being replaced by two TV veterans that have worked for the Lilly family.  Peter Veto has been named GM of WJRT while John Christianson has been handed the reins of WTVG.  Veto and Christianson both arrive at their new posts from stations owned by Lilly Broadcasting, the company run by George’s sons.

Veto comes from WENY-EENY-GENY in Elmira, NY and Christianson has been working as the GM of WSEE-WBEP in Erie, PA.

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