Incoming Tribune CEO Peter Liguori plans WGN facelift By CLAIRE ATKINSON NY POST
5:05 PM, December 7, 2012 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/facelift_for_wgn_gepeEgwclfM0KJi85m1umL Tribune Co. CEO-in-waiting Peter Liguori will focus on a makeover of the company’s WGN America cable station as soon as the media giant emerges from reorganization, The Post has learned. The national cable network, which currently runs a mix of syndicated shows like “Law and Order” and “30 Rock” and Chicago Cubs games, may be converted into a station that airs original programming to attract more viewers, said a source familiar with the situation. “They have to turn it into a fully distributed cable channel that is in demand,” the source added. “Right now it is neither.” Liguori is widely expected to take up the top post once Tribune’s owners — Oaktree Capital, JPMorgan and Angelo, Gordon & Co. — appoint the new board. That’s expected any day. Tomorrow marks the four-year anniversary of Tribune’s bankruptcy filing. In addition, Tribune could look to merge WGN with another existing general entertainment cable channel, a second source said. Tribune will need to find ways to push up distribution fees and make it more desirable, the source said. Ligouri, who was a former chairman of Fox Broadcasting and COO at Discovery Communications, is being hired for his content expertise. He is also credited with making the FX Network a success. FX, like The Post, is owned by News Corp. Liguori, 52, is in talks with former Disney Chief Strategy Officer Peter Murphy to come on board as Tribune COO, sources said, and is out scouting for staff. Liguori didn’t return numerous requests for comment. A Tribune spokesperson had no comment. “What it comes down to is how much are they truly going to invest in growing Tribune as a full-fledged media company, or where will they tighten the belt and sell off assets so that the private-equity owners can flip and get out?” a source told The Post. _______________________________________________ Please be sure to include a URL to the article. Reply to the sender with a "Thank you" if you like this post. _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
