Ardyth “Ardy” R. Diercks was named the GM of Nexstar’s Memphis ABC affiliate WATN just two years ago. On Tuesday she announced that she is leaving the station.
Nexstar Readies Major Memphis Overhaul
This weekend, the group owner will open a new 27,000-square-foot facility that will house its duopoly of WPTY (ABC) and WLMT (CW), plus WJKT, the Fox affiliate in adjacent Jackson, Tenn. The facility will produce 43.5 hours of HD news each week, with WPTY using JVC’s GY-HM650 and 700-series cameras in the field and JVC GY-HD250s in the studio. Master control will be running Sundance automation software.
The station group plans to open a 27,000-square-foot broadcasting and news facility on June 1, which will broadcast WPTY-WLMT Memphis and WJKT Jackson, Tenn., in high definition.
The measurement service has signed WPTY (ABC) and WLMT (CW) in a multi-year ratings contract.
Nexstar Names Creative Services Dir. In Tenn.
Kevin Kirkaldie will lead communications and community involvement initiatives for WPTY-WLMT Memphis and WJKT Jackson.
Nexstar Names ND For Memphis-Jackson
Lisa Lovell-Ayres, the acting ND at WPTY-WLMT Memphis and WJKT Jackson, is promoted to oversee news operations for the stations and their digital operations.
Exclusives
Nexstar Names Sales Dir. In Memphis-Jackson
Mark Arminio to lead sales efforts for Nexstar’s WPTY (ABC), WLMT (CW) and WJKT (Fox) and the stations’ associated digital services.
Nexstar Names Ardyth Diercks Tenn. GM
The broadcast industry veteran to lead WPTY-WLMT Memphis and WJKT Jackson’s television and associated e-media and digital operations.
TV’s Social Barrage Meets Paper’s Paywall
Memphis, Tenn.’s daily paper the Commercial Appeal has seen its traffic decline 30% since putting up a paywall last December and the city’s TV stations — WHBQ, WMC, WPTY and WREG — are using social media to win over and engage the region’s online population.
