New Leadership At Sunbeam Television Corp.

Sunbeam Television Corp. on Monday announced a change in leadership following the death of owner and president Ed Ansin on July 26. Sunbeam owns Fox affiliate WSVN Miami and WHDH (Ind.) and WLVI (CW) in Boston. Sunbeam subsidiary, Sunbeam Properties, developed the 400-acre Miramar Park of Commerce, the largest locally owned business park in South Florida.

Ed’s eldest son, Andy, assumes the role of CEO. Ed’s son James Ansin and station executive Paul Magnes assume the role of co-presidents. Ownership will remain in the Ansin family.

James has served as WSVN’s VP-station manager since 2004. He joined the station in 1993. Paul has been EVP and general manager since 2018. He has been with the company for 14 years.

“James and Paul will lead the experienced management team that Dad trusted to run Sunbeam’s television stations,” said Andy Ansin.  “7 NEWS will continue to provide the best news coverage in both South Florida and Boston and continue to maintain its standard for journalistic excellence.”

“I am humbled, prepared and committed to carry my father’s legacy into the future.” said James Ansin. “My dad was always very open and clear that he wanted Sunbeam Television to continue as an ongoing corporation for future generations. We are lucky that he left us the tools to ensure that his plan will become a reality.”

“I’m committed to furthering Ed Ansin’s vision for his television stations and honored to be doing so with his sons”, said Magnes.

Andrew Ansin started coming to WSVN’s station in Miami when he was six years old, visiting with his grandfather and original owner of Sunbeam, Sidney D. Ansin. Andrew interned in the newsroom during high school, “gripping” during the McDuffie Riots and going undercover in an award-winning investigation of doctors improperly prescribing Quaaludes.  Andrew returned to the company after graduating Brown University in 1981 and was instrumental in the development of Miramar Park of Commerce. Andrew is immediate past chair of Ransom Everglades High School and serves on the executive board of United Way of Miami-Dade.

James Ansin interned at WSVN since the age of 15 in the film and editing department splicing episodes of Bonanza and Kojak for air and in subsequent summers, interned in the sales department. After graduating from Brown University in 1988, James moved to New York City to work as an account executive at HRP for five years. He then returned to WSVN in 1993 as marketing director followed by his promotion to VP-station manager in 2004. James served on strategic committees during the affiliation changes of WSVN Miami and WHDH Boston. James established the Peace Sullivan/James Ansin University of Miami Journalism and New Media Workshop. He created a Spanish immersion program at Miami-Dade College.

Paul Magnes became GM of WHDH in 2006 and EVP-GM of Sunbeam in 2018. He spearheads WSVN’s and WHDH’s long-term community commitments which include United Way, Best Buddies, Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity.