BOCA RATON, FLA. — On August 22, 1954, it debuted as WJNO-5 as the primary NBC affiliate for South Florida, changing its call letters to WPTV in 1956. Today, this E.W. Scripps Co. station remains aligned with the Peacock of TV networks. And, that won’t change for the foreseeable future, thanks to a new deal that extends the life of the company’s affiliation with NBC at this station and 10 others Scripps owns.
A new multi-year agreement with NBCUniversal is in place, as of January 1, and it includes the following properties:
- WPTV-5 in West Palm Beach-Stuart-Vero Beach
- KSHB-41 in Kansas City
- WTMJ-4 in Milwaukee-Racine
- KJRH-TV in Tulsa
- KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs-Pueblo
- WLEX-TV in Lexington, Ky.
- KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara, Calif.
- WGBA-TV in Green Bay, Wisc.
- KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi, Tex.
- KTGF-TV in Great Falls, Mont.
- KTVH-TV in Helena, Mont.
“This expanded agreement recognizes our decades-long partnership with NBC as well as the importance of our TV stations in providing trusted local news reporting, emergency weather alerts and community coverage to these markets,” said Scripps EVP of Media Broadcast Operations Dean Littleton. “Moreover, it illustrates the ongoing strength of the network-affiliate model and the enduring value of our local stations.”
NBCUniversal President of Affiliate Relations Phil Martzoff added, “We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Scripps, bringing their viewers the leading broadcast network and vital entertainment, news and sports content. As we enter 2025 and look forward to exciting programming like the NBA, we will continue to work with our partners to innovate our NBC offerings on behalf of viewers nationwide.”
The NBC deal follows Scripps’ successful affiliation agreement renewal with CBS in autumn 2024.
SCRIPPS NETWORKS SELECTS A MARKETING HEAD
In other news pertaining to The E.W. Scripps Co., VP of Brand Strategy Sherry Pitkofsky is promoted to Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Scripps Networks.
She’ll lead the Scripps arm’s brand strategy, audience development and engagement teams, and now oversee the full marketing team, including creative.
Pitkofsky joined Scripps in 2017 through the Katz acquisition, leading brand strategy for Scripps’ national networks and growing her role as the company acquired ION and launched new brands including Scripps News and Scripps Sports.
In the past Pitkofsky has held marketing roles at companies including NBCUniversal, AMC Networks and Conde Nast.
The promotion comes as part of the new leadership team structure being put together under Keisha Taylor Starr, Chief Marketing Officer and GM at Scripps Networks.
