Jim Parsons named News Director of Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV Channel 4
“Jim’s strong news instincts, passion for journalism, and knowledge of Pittsburgh make him uniquely prepared to take on this important position.”
Jim Parsons has been named news director at Hearst Television’s WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh, the ABC affiliate in the nation’s 23rd largest television market. Parsons, WTAE’s former assistant news director, will oversee the news operation of Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, WTAE.com, and WTAE mobile applications. His appointment, announced today by WTAE President and General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III, is effective immediately.
“Jim’s strong news instincts, passion for journalism, and knowledge of Pittsburgh make him uniquely prepared to take on this important position,” said Wolfertz. “I have no doubt Jim will build on WTAE Channel 4’s many accomplishments and lead the way in delivering quality news coverage to our viewers.”
Earlier this year, WTAE Channel 4 earned a highly coveted George Foster Peabody Award, from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, for its investigation of systemic problems within Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire departments leading to wide gaps in fire response times. The station also has been awarded a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), for three consecutive years.
“It is an honor to be chosen as news director of Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, a great news organization in an outstanding city,” said Parsons. “I am excited and humbled to lead a very talented group of journalists dedicated to covering news that matters to Pittsburgh and our surrounding communities.”
In addition to his news management role at WTAE Channel 4, Parsons served as an investigative reporter for 15 years and has been a driving force behind many ground-breaking and award-winning reports seen on WTAE Channel 4. His investigations on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), led to the resignation of its CEO and was later credited with helping to bring about the passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law. The investigation earned WTAE the George Foster Peabody Award and Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.’s IRE Medal.
Parsons succeeds Justin Antoniotti, who has been appointed to President and General Manager of WPTZ-TV/WNNE-TV, Hearst Television’s NBC affiliates serving the Plattsburgh, New York/Burlington, Vermont, television market.
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Charles W. Wolfertz III, please call Sheri Neill at 412-244-4669 or email Sheri at sneill@hearst.com
ABOUT WTAE CHANNEL 4
WTAE is a digital multi-media company providing news, weather, sports, information and entertainment content on WTAE Channel 4, WTAE.com, and thisTV Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is honored with prestigious broadcast journalism awards including the Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Award. Pittsburgh’s Action Weather 4 is Western Pennsylvania’s most recognized weather forecast provider and is available on air, online, and on smart phones. WTAE Channel 4, the ABC station in Pittsburgh the nation’s 23rd largest market, is owned by Hearst Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst, a leading media company whose global holdings include 30 local television stations and two local radio stations.
ABOUT HEARST TELEVISION
Hearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 30 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 26 television markets across 39 states, and reaching approximately 21 million U.S. television households. The company broadcasts more than 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs. The stations operate digital on-line and mobile platforms, reaching more than 25 million monthly unique visitors that extend the company’s brands and content to local, national and international audiences. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst. The Company’s Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.