Nexstar Media Group has hired a former NBC Universal television executive to oversee its flagship television station in Chicago.
This month, Ric Harris was hired to serve as Vice President and General Manager of WGN-TV (Channel 9), the company’s CW Network station in Chicago. In his role, Harris will oversee all aspects of WGN-TV’s operations, including its streaming service WGN-TV Plus, the WGN website, digital platforms and social media channels.
The role does not include oversight of WGN Radio (720 AM) or NewsNation, which are operated separately from the television station.
Harris succeeds Paul Rennie, who retired from WGN-TV last year. He will report to Brandin Stewart, the Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Nexstar’s broadcasting unit.
“Nexstar is extremely fortunate to have someone with Ric’s talent and experience leading our Chicago media businesses,” Stewart said on Wednesday. “He is a strategic thinker and has been successful everywhere he’s worked by developing a deep connection with local viewers, advertising clients, and his staff. He’s the perfect choice to capitalize on WGN-TV’s strengths, and I am looking forward to working with him as he takes on this new role.”
Harris joins Nexstar and WGN-TV after serving for nearly a decade as the President and General Manager of WCAU-TV (Channel 10, NBC) in Philadelphia. In that role, he also oversaw TV operations at WWSI (Channel 62), the region’s Telemundo station. WCAU and WWSI are owned by Comcast. Before his time at WCAU and WWSI, Haris worked at WVIT (Channel 30), the NBC-owned station in Hartford, Connecticut.
“WGN is a powerhouse in local news and the home of high-quality CW programming, including live sports like Xfinity series racing, college football and basketball, and WWE NXT wrestling, as well as original entertainment programs,” Harris said on Wednesday. “WGN has forged a deep connection with Chicago-area viewers and has a legacy of quality programming, special coverage of important local events, and service to the community. When you combine all that with the resources of Nexstar, you create a tremendous opportunity for success.”
