McFarland Named WFTS Tampa News Director

Scripps station grabs WABC New York news vet

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/5/2012 3:45:33 PM

WFTS Tampa Bay has named Bill McFarland as its news director. McFarland comes from WABC New York, where he is assistant news director. He succeeds Doug Culver, who departed in June.

"Bill brings over 20 years of successful news management experience in large market television newsrooms," said general manager Rich Pegram. "I am confident that his commitment to quality journalism and his leadership abilities will help ABC Action News continue our remarkable ratings momentum of the past year."

McFarland has held key leadership positions in newsrooms around the country, including those in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and has also lectured at the university level on the news.

An ABC affiliate, WFTS is owned by Scripps.

"I am looking forward to joining the news team at one of the best stations in America and a company committed to quality, local journalism," said McFarland.