Lawlor Takes Over NBC Affiliates Board

NBC salutes Fiorile for being "great partner"

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/17/2010 4:37:57 PM

Scripps TV Senior VP Brian Lawlor emerged from the NBC affiliates meeting in New York today as the new chairman of the affiliates board. A veteran board member, he succeeds Michael Fiorile, who becomes chairman emeritus.

Fiorile, who runs Dispatch Broadcast Group, chaired the board since 2008. NBC TV Network President John Eck saluted Fiorile for his service, calling him a great friend, a great partner, and a standout representative for the affiliates body.

Some 182 affiliates attended the meeting today, following NBC's presentation at the New York Hilton. The affiliates vote in board members, and the board members appoint the officers.

Lawlor, like several key NBC affiliate managers, praised NBC's development efforts in advance of the 2010-2011 season. "We're excited by what we saw today," he said, singling out Monday dramas The Event and Chase. "It's really clear that NBC invested in development this year. I think people are excited about the 10 p.m. programs and the audience they'll deliver to late news."

Lawlor, 43, is a true up and comer in the broadcast community. A New Yorker, he was given oversight of Scripps' 10 stations late in 2008 after running WPTV West Palm Beach from 2004-2008.