WFXG GM Barry Barth Announces Retirement

Barry Barth, VP-GM since 2003 of Raycom Media’s Fox affiliate WFXG Augusta, Ga. (DMA 113), announced today that he will retire at the end of the year after more than 50 years in the television business.

“This has been my profession since starting as a switchboard operator/runner at WNDU in South Bend, Ind., when I was 15, after my Dad’s death. I followed in my father, Bernie Barth’s footsteps, and am proud to say that my son Kevin, at WCBS [New York], and I have also had a number of years together in the broadcasting business,” Barth said.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with a great team here at WFXG and for Raycom while here in Augusta for the past nine years”, he added. “I have, also, had the good fortune of working with talented colleagues and friends all over the country while working for a number of great broadcasting companies.”

“Barry has worked tirelessly on behalf of Raycom and for the people of the Greater Augusta Area,” said Leon Long, SVP/television, Raycom Media. “We wish him well as he begins the next chapter in his life.”

Following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame, Barth was a graduate teaching fellow at the Brooklyn College TV Center, and then joined The Donahue Show in the early days of syndication at WLWD Dayton, Ohio. He later worked for CapCities in Buffalo, N.Y.; Post-Newsweek Stations in Miami, Jacksonville, Fla., and Hartford, Conn., w as VP-GM at KREM Spokane, Wash., under three ownerships. Prior to joining WFXG, Barth was the VP-GM at KGPE Fresno, Calif.

Barth has long been involved in a number of industry and local activities. Professionally, he served as the affiliate liaison for marketing/promotion while on the CBS Affiliate Advisory Board as well as the chair of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters where he remains active.

Barry and his wife of 42 years, Barbara, have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.