Robert Furlong Named VP/General Manager of WPMT-TV in Harrisburg, PA

CHICAGO, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Broadcasting today named Robert Furlong as vice president and general manager of WPMT-TV, the company's television station in Harrisburg, PA; Furlong will assume his new duties July 18.  Furlong was most recently president and chief executive officer of VCI solutions, a provider of software to cable and broadcast television industries, and before that managed television stations in Albany, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.

"Bob has the talent and experience we need to achieve continued success in Harrisburg," said Nils Larsen, Tribune Broadcasting's chief executive officer.  "He's been successful at growing ratings and revenues against tough competition, he understands the importance of developing a strong online and mobile presence, and he knows the vital role that WPMT-TV plays in the community."

Furlong served as vice president and general manager for Freedom Broadcasting's duopoly in Albany, NY for six years beginning in 2004.  He was responsible for overseeing the operations of CBS affiliate WRGB-TV and CW affiliate WCWN-TV.  While there he developed an interactive product and improved news ratings, increasing both market share and cash flow.  Prior to his tenure in Albany, Furlong was vice president and general manager at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix, KPHO-TV; before that at KUTP-TV in Phoenix; and before that at KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City.

"WPMT has been expanding news, growing ratings and constantly looking for new ways of serving its viewers, advertisers and the community," said Furlong.  "There is a lot of opportunity to build on this very solid foundation—I am looking forward to leading this talented group of broadcasters."

Furlong has ties to the Pennsylvania area and is a graduate of Shippensburg University, in Shippensburg, PA, just a few miles away from Harrisburg.  

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.

SOURCE Tribune Broadcasting