She’s spent 27 years as an active member of the Chicago local TV world.
Now, ViacomCBS is appointing her to the role of President/General Manager of CBS News and Television Stations’ local businesses in Chicago.
Now in the top spot at WBBM-2, CBSN Chicago and CBSChicago.com is Jennifer Lyons.
She reports directly to Wendy McMahon, President and Co-Head of CBS News and Stations and starts her new role on Monday (8/23).
“We feel extremely fortunate to have someone like Jennifer, who has a proven track record of success in Chicago, joining as the leader of our team, products and platforms at CBS 2,” McMahon said. “Jennifer knows this market like few others, understands what it takes to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with the diverse communities that make up this city and is deeply committed to growing our brands and business for the future.”
For a generation of TV viewers, Lyons has been associated with the former Tribune Broadcasting flagship TV station, WGN-9.
Since 1993, Lyons worked for WGN-TV, most recently as News Director, a role held from 2014-2020. Prior to leading the news department at WGN-TV, Lyons served as the station’s Assistant News Director, from 2008-2014. Before that, she was the Executive Producer of WGN’s Morning and Midday News.
During the past year, she led the creation and launch of WGN parent company Nexstar Media Group’s struggling national cable news outlet, NewsNation, including the design and buildout of a 24-hour newsroom and studio.
“I am deeply honored for the tremendous opportunity to join CBS 2 Chicago, especially at a time when it is poised to grow on all platforms, including broadcast, streaming and digital,” Lyons said. “I am impressed with my new colleagues’ commitment to investigative journalism as well as compelling storytelling and I am excited to join the team.”
