Antoniotti Named News Director At WTAE-TV

PITTSBURGH and GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Justin Antoniotti has been named news director at Hearst Television's WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, the ABC affiliate in the nation's 23rd largest TV market.

Antoniotti will oversee the overall news operation of Channel 4 Action News, WTAE.com, and WTAE mobile applications.  His appointment, announced today by WTAE President & General Manager Michael J. Hayes, begins immediately.

Antoniotti comes to WTAE from Hearst Television sister-station WYFF 4 in Greenville, SC.  During his tenure as news director, WYFF 4 expanded local newscasts and launched a primetime news magazine, "Chronicle," which earned the prestigious Peabody Award from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism in 2010. 

"WTAE is fortunate to welcome a news director with Justin's leadership acumen," said Hayes. "With his breadth of experience and strong news instincts, Justin will expand WTAE's depth of coverage, bringing strong operational and managerial expertise."

During Antoniotti's five years there, WYFF 4 earned five Station of the Year honors from South Carolina Associated Press and four from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association.  The news team also earned 19 regional Emmy awards, including two for Best Newscast and one for Overall News Excellence; and seven regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including one for Best Newscast and one for Overall Excellence.

Prior to WYFF 4, Antoniotti was assistant news director at Hearst Television's WISN-TV in Milwaukee from 2005 to 2007 when WISN became the market's number one rated station for local news.

"I have been very fortunate to have already worked at two great Hearst Television properties," said Antoniotti.  "To now be able to move to WTAE is very special.  I look forward to working with the talented Channel 4 Action News Team and building on the great legacy at WTAE."

"Pittsburgh is an ideal place for my family and me," Antoniotti added.  "We are all very excited to move to this world class city."

In addition to his news management roles in Greenville and Milwaukee, Antoniotti has also worked as a news manager in Houston and Memphis.  He began his career as a news producer in Columbia, Missouri and, later, Biloxi, Mississippi

Antoniotti graduated with honors in 1996 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.  He is married with three daughters.

A native of Detroit, Antoniotti is a second generation news director. His father, Steve, had a long career as news director and later general manager in Los Angeles, Detroit, St. Louis and Oklahoma City.

ABOUT WTAE 4

WTAE is a digital multi-media company providing news, weather, sports, information and entertainment content on WTAE 4, WTAE.com, and thisTV Pittsburgh. WTAE Channel 4 Action News is honored with prestigious broadcast journalism awards including the Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Award. WTAE Weather Watch 4 is Western Pennsylvania's most recognized weather forecast provider and is available on air, online, and on mobile phones. WTAE TV, the ABC station in Pittsburgh the nation's 23^rd largest market, is owned by Hearst Television Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation, a leading media company whose global holdings include 29 television stations and two radio stations.

ABOUT HEARST TELEVISION

Hearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 30 U.S. cities and reaching approximately 18% of U.S. television households.  The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs.  The stations also host and operate digital on-line and mobile platforms 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 Corporation, which in 2012 celebrates its 125^th Anniversary – including 64 years in television and 84 years in radio.  Hearst Television's Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.

SOURCE Hearst Television