He’s been with FOX Television Stations’ properties serving the Orlando and Gainesville-Ocala markets since July 2019 and ranks at No. 2 among RBR+TVBR‘s Top Local TV Leaders for both 2022 and 2023.
Now, Mike McClain is preparing for his retirement, concluding a 44-year career in broadcast television. Who’s succeeding McClain in the Sunshine State?
Come July 9, longtime WTVT-13 in Tampa-St. Petersburg SVP/GM Jeff Maloney — a 21-year veteran of the FOX owned-and-operated property — will be absorbing McClain’s duties, putting him in control of local stations owned by FTS in three contiguous Florida DMAs. As such, he will also serve as the leader of WOFL-35 and “FOX 35 Plus” WRBW-65 in Orlando, and WOGX-51 in Gainesville-Ocala.
Maloney has risen through the ranks in Tampa Bay, earning his current role in 2010 while also overseeing the FOX Graphics Hub. Before that, he spent seven years as WTVT’s VP of Sales. Before that, Maloney spent a decade in various sales role for former FOX O&O KSTU-13 in Salt Lake City. Maloney began his television sales career as a Broadcasting Negotiator for the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.
Maloney reports directly to FTS Chief Executive Officer Jack Abernethy. “Throughout his long tenure here, Jeff has proven the ability to build high achieving teams, so we are confident he will continue his tradition of excellence with the addition of Orlando,” he said.
Maloney commented, “I am honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead WOFL/WRBW and WOGX’s teams of experienced and professional journalists and marketers while continuing at the helm of WTVT and the FOX Graphics Hub. I remain committed to bringing quality news, content, and innovation to all of central Florida.”
In a marketplace that’s perhaps one of the nation’s most competitive for local news, McClain gained national recognition for WOFL’s performance against Cox Media Group’s WFTV-9, Hearst Television’s WESH-2 and Graham Media Group’s WKMG-6. Before joining WOFL-TV, McClain spent nearly two years at the helm of WJZY-46 in Charlotte. Prior to that, he was VP/News for WAGA-5 in Atlanta. From 2001 through July 2007, McClain served as the VP of News at WBRC-6 in Birmingham.
McClain spent 27 years with WBRC, a FOX-owned station from September 1996 until 2008. There, he began his career as a news photographer and worked in a variety of positions before serving as Vice President and News Director.
McClain commented, “Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to work with the most talented people across the Southeast. I’m proud of our team here at FOX 35 Orlando and grateful for all the growth we’ve had, knowing that in my retirement Jeff will build upon the momentum we have to take them to new heights.”
Speaking of McClain, Abernethy thanked him “for his exceptional loyalty and flexibility with over four decades of dedication to FOX and congratulate him on a seasoned career of success across multiple markets.”
