FOX Television Stations (FTS) has revealed who will take on the role of SVP/General Manager of “FOX 2” in Detroit, as Greg Easterly is retiring from the role.
At the same time, we now know who will lead FTS’s L.A. properties, and it is someone who will add that role to her current duties in Seattle.
Succeeding Easterly at WJBK-TV is Paul McGonagle. He currently served as Vice President/News Director of WTTG “FOX 5” in Washington, D.C.
But, perhaps the bigger news is that Amber Eikel has been elevated to the role of Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager. As such, the head of KCPQ “FOX 13” and KZJO-TV in Seattle-Tacoma is adding oversight of KTTV-TV “FOX 11” and KCOP-13 in Los Angeles. Eikel’s previous roles include those of Vice President/News Director and Assistant News Director positions at KTVU “FOX 2” in San Francisco. She began her career as a producer, executive producer, and interim news director for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, Calif. McGonagle has served in his role at WTTG since 2013. He previously served in multiple roles at WFXT “FOX 25” in Boston, including as Vice President/News Director.
Both Eikel and McGonagle will report to Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy.
In making the announcement, Abernethy stated, “Greg Easterly has been a trusted and inspiring leader across the nation’s top local markets and station groups. We thank him for his exceptional service and congratulate him on a remarkable career. In Paul and Amber, we have two of the strongest newsroom and operational minds in local television. Both have continuous track records of innovation and team-building, and I’m confident they’ll continue to raise the bar in Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle.”
What does this mean for Steve Carlston? A company spokesperson tells RBR+TVBR that the local TV veteran “has left for other opportunities.” From September 2011 until April 2022, Carlston was President/GM of KNBC-4 in Los Angeles. Six months later, he reemerged as the head of KTTV and KCOP.
Meanwhile, Easterly is concluding a career that includes a stint as Senior Vice President of Group Operations for Tribune Media, overseeing 15 markets. He has also been GM of WPIX-11 in New York, WGN-9 in Chicago and WJW-TV in Cleveland, where he rose from VP of News.
Easterly said, “Working with Jack and the teams at FOX has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. I’m especially proud of what we’ve accomplished together in Detroit. As I step away to spend more time with my family, I do so knowing these stations are in very talented hands.”
