Dave Davis Retiring As WABC New York GM

Dave Davis, president and general manager of ABC-owned WABC New York, announced Thursday that he is retiring after more than 40 years in the business.

Davis said: “It has been a privilege to have spent the majority of my career with the ABC Owned Station Group and the past 15 years with WABC. Our job is to reflect and serve the many local communities of the greater New York region, and I’m very proud of the work done by the team to make it the most watched station in the country.”

Wendy McMahon, president of the ABC Owned Station Group, stated, “WABC has long been the most dominant channel in the nation due to the work and dedication of this incredible team. I know Dave’s been thinking about life beyond work and how he is looking forward to enjoying the rewards that come after a four decade-long career. Change is never easy, but it allows us to bring fresh perspectives into the mix as we look to take advantage of new and exciting opportunities facing the local station business.”

McMahon is finalizing a plan for Davis’ replacement.

Davis started his career in broadcast news as a news photographer in 1977 at KTRK, the ABC O&O in Houston. He was subsequently promoted to news reporter and then news producer.

In 1982, he moved to WFAA Dallas, as producer of the 6 p.m. news. Two years later, he returned to KTRK as executive producer for news. In 1986, Davis was promoted to news director at ABC-owned, WTVD Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

He joined ABC’s WPVI Philadelphia as news director in 1990 and was promoted to president and general manager in 1997.

He was first named president and general manager of WABC in 2003. From 2007 to 2010, he was executive vice president of ABC News. In 2010, he returned to WABC as president-GM.

During his time at WABC, the station doubled the amount of local news it produces, now delivering more than 45 hours of Eyewitness News per week. The station also added numerous local live program productions to its schedule during his tenure including the TCS New York City Marathon, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Columbus Day Parade and the NYC Pride March, which aired for the first time on broadcast television last year; as well as biannual Broadway previews and a live special opening, the New York International Auto Show.

He also oversaw the creation of programs focused on fire safety, breast cancer awareness and child protection, which have become part of the station’s ongoing mission. WABC also produces Live with Kelly and Ryan, a leading morning talk show in national syndication.

He is a former president of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and the New York State Broadcasters Association, in addition to membership on numerous charitable and civic boards.