Tribune Names Cherniss President/GM Of WGN America And Tribune Studios

CHICAGO, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company today announced that it has named Warner Bros. executive Matt Cherniss as President/General Manager of WGN America and the newly formed Tribune Studios.  Cherniss will be responsible for overall strategy, execution and day-to-day operations at both properties.  At Tribune Studios, he also will oversee the creation and development of original content for WGN America and Tribune's 23 local television stations.  Cherniss will report to Tribune CEO Peter Liguori and transition into his new roles during the next several weeks as the company expands its West Coast presence.

"Matt is known within the creative community for his incredible eye for high-quality, commercial programming, as well as his integrity as a partner and a programmer," said Liguori.  "WGN America and our 23 local stations reach 80 percent of the country and provide a powerful marketing and distribution platform, creating value for programmers, advertisers, and most important, audiences.  Tribune Studios will enable us to participate in the value this platform delivers by developing original content that we own or co-own."

Cherniss, 40, joined Warner Bros. in his current role as SVP/Production in 2011, and oversaw the development and production of such movies as, "300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE," and the upcoming comedy "MAIL ORDER GROOM," starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, set to begin shooting this summer.

"Tribune has one of the largest station groups in the country, a growing presence in WGN America, and the resources to create and develop top-flight original content," said Cherniss.  "Through WGN America and Tribune Studios we will be looking to attract the most innovative and imaginative creators in the business, as we make a commitment to unique and distinctive programming."

Prior to joining Warner Bros., Cherniss served as EVP/Programming for Fox Broadcasting Company.  His responsibilities included overseeing all of FOX's drama, comedy, and animated development; he also shepherded the development of shows including the Golden Globe winning "Glee," "Raising Hope," and "Bob's Burgers."  As SVP/Original Programming at FX, Cherniss played an integral role in the development of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning "Damages" and the Golden Globe-winning "Nip/Tuck," as well as "Rescue Me," and "Sons of Anarchy."

Tribune also announced that Julio Marenghi, who has headed WGN America since 2009, has been appointed President/Broadcast Media Sales, responsible for overseeing all aspects of advertising sales for the company's 23 local television stations and WGN Radio in Chicago.  The appointment is effective immediately; Marenghi will report to Larry Wert, President/Broadcast Media.

"Julio has done a great job growing advertising share and revenue at WGN America, where sales reached all-time highs," said Liguori. "He'll bring the same talent, passion and commitment to our local broadcast stations, and work closely with our sales teams to ensure that we continue delivering outstanding results for our clients."

TRIBUNE is one of the country's leading multimedia companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing, and interactive. The company's broadcasting group owns or operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable, the national multicast network, Antenna TV 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 Company