He’s been with the station since 1987, when Gaylord Broadcasting sold it to Gillett and some six years prior to its affiliation switch from CBS to FOX, at which time it became a foundational owned-and-operated property today within Fox Television Stations.
Now, this individual, today in the role of VP/News Director, is planning to retire from “FOX 13 Tampa Bay.”
John Hoffman will retire from WTVT-13 in Tampa-St. Petersburg in February 2025. He has been in this role since 2010, and first joined the station as an intern at the station during his senior year of college at the University of South Florida.
Commenting on his tenure at WTVT, Hoffman said, “My focus has always been the consumer. Local News continues to evolve but what remains constant is maintaining a connection with our audience through serving them the information they need. This focus keeps us grounded and true to our mission. This philosophy guides our newsroom to success and has established our reputation as a trusted source of information. I’ve been blessed with a newsroom full of experienced professionals who hold the station’s reputation close to their hearts. Because I grew up at WTVT, I never felt like the boss—more like a member of the team. This created an atmosphere of collaboration and family. The Tampa Bay community has been my home, and this station has been my family. Together, we’ve told stories that matter, made a difference, and connected with people in meaningful ways. In retirement, I look forward to spending time with my real family, traveling and having some time out of the hotseat.”
Jeff Maloney, the recently named SVP/Regional General Manager of FOX Television Stations’ Florida properties, commented, “For nearly four decades, John Hoffman has been a driving force behind the success and evolution of WTVT/FOX13, fostering connections with the Tampa Bay community and setting a standard of excellence in local news coverage. Starting as an intern in 1985 to now serving as VP News Director, John has consistently prioritized our audience. Under his leadership the station has expanded newscasts and created a streaming presence in the market. Throughout John’s distinguished career, he has embodied the values of hard work, dedication, and service to the community. The sense of teamwork and collaboration within the newsroom has been a cornerstone of his leadership. He is a trusted advisor and will be greatly missed. We wish him much success in his retirement.”
From 1985-1987, Hoffman was at crosstown WTOG-44, then a “Superstation” carried via satellite, holding various newsroom roles in his first post-collegiate position. He then came on board at WTVT in 1987, as an Associate Producer and News Writer.
