SAN FRANCISCO (Business Wire) -- Current Station Head Dino Dinovitz to Retire at Year End and Serve in Interim to Affect Smooth Transition
Mark Antonitis has been named president and general manager of Young Broadcasting Inc.'s San Francisco station, KRON-TV, effective immediately, it was announced today by Deborah A. McDermott, president of Young Broadcasting, ("YBI") (NASDAQ: YBTVA).
Mr. Antonitis formerly served as president and general manager of YBI's KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, SD, a position he held since 1996. Under his leadership, KELO-TV's revenue grew by more than 35%, operating income more than doubled and margins increased to almost 50%.
Mr. Antonitis will replace Dino Dinovitz who previously announced his plans to retire at the end of 2004. Mr. Dinovitz joined KRON-TV in November 2000 and will remain with the station until the end of the year to work with Mr. Antonitis to ensure a smooth transition.
"Mark is one of the most talented station executives in the country and his experience and ability to effectively run stations is well documented," Ms. McDermott stated. "He will also have the benefit of working closely with Dino whose knowledge of the San Francisco market and KRON is exceptional."
"We are enormously appreciative of the significant contributions he has made in the four years he has been at KRON," said Vincent Young, YBI chairman. "Dino has steered the station successfully from an affiliate to independent status and has increased our market share and our brand in one of America's most important television markets."
Prior to joining KELO-TV, Mr. Antonitis was vice president and news director of NBC-owned WMAQ-TV in Chicago and, before that, held key broadcasting positions in Denver, St. Louis and New York. He has been involved in numerous charitable and community organizations and during his tenure, KELO-TV won a National Emmy for public service.
A replacement for Mr. Antonitis at KELO-TV will be named shortly.
Young Broadcasting owns eleven television stations and the national television representation firm; Adam Young Inc. Six stations are affiliated with ABC Television Network (WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN, WTEN-TV, Albany, NY, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN, WTVO-TV, Rockford, IL, and WBAY-TV, Green Bay WI), three are affiliated with the CBS Television Network (WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI, KLFY-TV, Lafayette, LA and KELO-TV, Sioux Falls, SD) and one is affiliated with the NBC Television Network (KWQC-TV, Davenport, IA). KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA is the largest independent station in the U.S. and the only independent VHF station in its market. The Company also operates separate UPN Network stations using its digital broadcast facilities in Sioux Falls, SD and Rockford, IL.
Young Broadcasting
Deborah McDermott, 615-248-7353
James Morgan, 212-754-7070
or
The Lippin Group
Don Ciaramella, 212-986-7080
