Eric Lerner Named WNBC New York GM

The NBC Owned Television Stations division of NBCUniversal today today appointed Eric Lerner president and general manager of WNBC New York (DMA 1).

Lerner joins NBC’s flagship East Coast station effective April 13, succeeding Michael Jack, who announced last year that he would be retiring after nearly four decades in local broadcasting. Lerner will report to Valari Staab, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.

Lerner has worked in the local television industry for the last 30 years, most recently as president-GM of WCAU (NBC) and WWSI (Telemundo) Philadelphia, which are both owned by NBCUniversal.

Over the last three years, Lerner has led a turnaround at WCAU, including redirecting station resources to prioritize local news, breaking news and weather coverage and guiding key investments, such as adding a new helicopter, upgrading newsgathering technology, strengthening the investigative unit, growing the digital team and expanding local news coverage.

When NBCUniversal acquired WWSI in July 2013, Lerner was tapped to assume leadership responsibilities at both stations. At WWSI, he spearheaded the launch of the station’s first newscast, delivering Spanish-speaking viewers across the Philadelphia market with the most relevant local news, weather and information.

Before joining NBCUniversal, Lerner worked as president-GM of KIRO Seattle for six years, and KFSN Fresno, Calif., for five years.

Previously, he worked as news director at WLS Chicago from 1998 to 2001, KING Seattle from 1995 to 1998 and KWCH Wichita, Kan., from 1992 to 1995.

Earlier in his career, Lerner held news management and production positions at several stations. He started his career as an assistant news consultant for Frank N. Magid Associates.

Lerner graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota with a B.A. in broadcast communications and sociology.