Hearst 2017 in review and leadership change

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://deadline.com/2018/01/hearst-...t-says-many-brands-struggled-with-1202233645/

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/110030/emerson-coleman-upped-at-hearst-television

A bright spot for Hearst, the CEO emphasized, was its Business Media unit. Decidedly less splashy than the company’s storied portfolio of magazines, television stations or cable networks, its assets span healthcare, aviation safety and financial services. The division accounted for 28% of total company profit in 2017, Swartz said, a share that has more than tripled over the past decade and will continue to climb.

As to the company’s more traditional media holdings, Swartz said the acquisition this year of Rodale, publisher of magazines such as Men’s Health, will “give our magazine business a shot in the arm.” He also noted ratings improvement at A&E and strides toward an OTT extension by the company’s other part-owned cable TV empire, ESPN.

Hearst’s 30 local TV stations are in a good position heading into the new year, he said, thanks to the Winter Olympics and mid-term political ad spending. “With elections and Olympics back on the agenda, Hearst Television will have a strong year in 2018, and we expect the company’s revenue to grow along with it.” The station group also contributed significant revenue in 2017 due to a rare opportunity to sell off spectrum in the auction organized by the FCC.

First on the year in Review.

Emerson Coleman, who since 1999 has been Hearst Television’s vice president of programming, has been promoted to senior vice president of programming.

“Emerson has been instrumental in the growth and stewardship of Hearst Television’s best-in-class programming assets,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb in a prepared statement.

“From our investment in the family-friendly programming of Litton Entertainment; the launch of the most successful new weekend syndicated program, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien; countless local programming initiatives; and his deep relationships with all of our syndication partners, no single person represents our company’s commitment to quality programming, community service, and collaborative partnership more than Emerson.”

In early 2017 Hearst acquired majority ownership of Litton Entertainment. Its Saturday morning programming, which appears on ABC, CBS, The CW and NBC, reaches an average audience of 27 million viewers each week.

For the 2017-18 TV season Matter of Fact, which is produced by Hearst Television and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, expanded its reach to 85% coverage of the United States, with a weekly audience — now averaging about 1 million viewers — nearly triple that of its initial launch.

And here is Emerson Coleman going to SVP at hearst.