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Scripps appoints Dean Littleton to SVP, Local Media

Television executive Dean Littleton appears in a handout photograph. (Image courtesy E. W. Scripps Company, Graphic by The Desk)
Television executive Dean Littleton appears in a handout photograph. (Image courtesy E. W. Scripps Company, Graphic by The Desk)

The E. W. Scripps Company has elevated its Denver-based television executive Dean Littleton to the role of senior vice president of local media.

Littleton comes to the role after serving as the vice president and general manager of KMGH-TV (Channel 7), the ABC affiliate in Denver owned by Scripps. He began his career as a photojournalist in Tennessee, where he spent the bulk of his career, save for a year when he worked at KMGH’s competitor in Denver, KUSA (Channel 9, NBC).

“Dean has shown tremendous leadership in Denver,” Lisa Knutson, the chief operating officer of Scripps, said in a statement on Tuesday. “He is committed to great journalism, and he has a vision for increasing engagement and growing trust with our communities.”

Scripps announced the promotions of four other television executives on Tuesday:

  • Frank Friedman to the role of senior vice president of data, insights and research;
  • Mark Gray to senior vice president of network and stations operations, in charge of the technical infrastructure for the local and digital network stations owned by Scripps;
  • Joe Naylor to senior vice president of streaming and digital platforms;
  • Michael O’Brian to senior vice president and chief distribution officer, tasked with overseeing distribution of Scripps local and digital networks across cable, satellite and streaming services.

The appointments are part of a broader strategy at Scripps to reorganize its company, with a focus on news and sports programming delivered over broadcast (including NextGen TV), pay television and streaming services.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
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