The CBS News & Stations properties serving the Motor City and its surrounding communities are getting what one company representative calls “a slight structure change” as it welcomes a new VP of News who will also serve as Station Manager of WWJ-62 and unaffiliated WKBD-50.
That individual most recently served as Senior Director of News for the crosstown ABC affiliate owned by The E.W. Scripps Co.
Moving across town to “CBS Detroit” is Kennan Oliphant.
The news was shared in an internal memo obtained on Wednesday by RBR+TVBR.
Oliphant’s first day at WWJ-62 and WKBD-50 is August 19.
“Kennan joins us with an extensive background in news leadership and a deep commitment to fostering positive newsroom environments,” said Jennifer Lyons, who is now formally Regional GM/President for both CBS Detroit and CBS Chicago. “He will report directly to me, lead the newsroom and its day-to-day functions, and serve as the primary station manager when I’m in Chicago.”
Lyons has been overseeing both markets for CBS News & Stations since May. She succeeded Brian Watson. She was appointed President/GM of WBBM-2 in Chicago in August 2021, joining CBS News & Stations after a lengthy tenure with crosstown WGN-9 under Tribune ownership. From 2014-2020, she was that station’s News Director; she had been associated with WGN-TV since 1993 and played a key role in the transformation of WGN America into NewsNation.
In addition to leading newsroom functions, Oliphant will be charged with recruiting on-air talent for CBS Detroit, which has the newest newscasts in Detroit and competes against Scripps-owned WXYZ-7, FOX Television Stations O&O WJBK-2, and longtime market leader WDIV “LOCAL 4,” the flagship property of Graham Media Group.
Oliphant’s prior experience includes two years at WXYZ-7 and sibling WMYD-20 as Asst. News Director. He’s also been Senior Manager of Broadcast for flagship Scripps property WCPO-9 in Cincinnati.
Oliphant began his career behind the scenes as a writer for WDIV-4 before becoming an on-air reporter for KNOE-8 in Monroe, La. He’s also worked at stations in Evansville, Ind.; Dayton, Ohio; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Jackson, Miss.; and in Memphis.
A MOVE TO STRENGTHEN NEWSROOM SUCCESS
With Oliphant’s arrival coming within the next month, CBS Detroit is also sharing that Paul Pytlowany is taking on a new role as the VP/Director of News Content and Special Projects.
Lyons explained, “Under this new structure, Paul will shift his focus to meet the evolving needs of our newsroom and the communities we serve, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing media landscape.”
Additionally, Pytlowany explained that he will oversee “the look and direction of locally produced news content, emphasizing creativity and brand identity, meeting regularly, and collaborating with our team of MSJs to enhance story development.”
He will lead the creation of live remote broadcasts, special projects, local community content, and tentpole events.
“Paul’s new role is crucial for the continued advancement of our newsroom, allowing us to innovate and adapt to the demands of a digital-first environment,” Lyons said. “His role will be vital as we continue to produce high-quality, engaging content for our audience.”
It was in December 2021 that CBS News & Stations announced that it would be building a local news organization for Detroit, a move that put Pytlowany in a lead role.
The initiative would allow WWJ to have its own full-scale local news department, some 28 years after becoming a CBS Television Network-owned station.
Since the launch, CBS Detroit’s local newscasts have struggled in the ratings against WXYZ, WJBK and WDIV.
