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Tribune Names Nils Larsen CEO of Broadcasting Division

Company Consolidates Responsibilities

CHICAGO, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company today announced that Nils Larsen has been appointed as chief executive officer of its broadcasting division, and that the position previously held by Jerry Kersting has been eliminated. Effective immediately, Larsen assumes responsibility for the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of the company's 23 television stations, its national cable network, WGN America, and WGN Radio.

"Tribune's broadcasting group has gotten off to a strong start this year—a result of having great assets in the biggest markets in the country, a rapidly growing cable network, and talented and innovative employees," said Eddy Hartenstein , Tribune Company's chief executive officer. "Nils is the right person to lead our broadcasting operations; he's thoughtful, creative, and has the vision necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the group."

Larsen has served as chairman of Tribune Broadcasting since October, 2010, and he continues to serve as chief investment officer of Tribune Company. He joined the company in 2008.

"Our broadcasting operations are led by gifted people, who know their customers and local communities very well," said Larsen. "We've been expanding local news, developing new original programming and making smart decisions with our syndicated programming, which is driving ratings and resonating with advertisers. We have momentum and there's a lot more opportunity ahead."

TRIBUNE is one of the country's leading multimedia companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing, and interactive. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable and Chicago's WGN-AM. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, The Morning Call and Daily Press. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.