Vermont Association of Broadcasters
Ryan Rothstein,the GSM of WPBF-TV, Hearst Television’s ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach, FL, has been promoted to President and GM of WPTZ-TV/WNNE-TV, the Hearst Television duopoly of NBC and CW affiliates serving the Burlington/Plattsburgh market.
Rothstein, a 23-year WPBF veteran, who has spent his entire career with Hearst Television, assumes his new role effective July 27th. He succeeds Justin N. Antoniotti, who has been appointed president and general manager of WGAL-TV, Hearst Television’s market-leading NBC affiliate serving the Lancaster-Harrisburg-Lebanon-York, Pennsylvania, television market.
“Ryan is truly a homegrown product of Hearst Television; he has succeeded at every position while at WPBF and has displayed leadership skills that have helped fuel the station’s thriving success,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “With significant investment over the last few years, WPTZ and WNNE are poised for even more growth, and Ryan is an outstanding selection to lead our team.”
Rothstein’s highly successful experience at WPBF has included growing involvement in the station’s participation in South Florida’s busy political activity. He was also instrumental in the planning and execution of the WPBF 25 Health and Wellness Festival annual community event and developed a data-focused sales initiative that was later rolled out across many Hearst stations.
Rothstein interned at WPBF during his junior year at the University of Florida and joined the station full-time as an account executive in 1997 upon earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He progressed steadily, from account executive to national sales manager, local sales manager and then general sales manager. During his time there, the station nearly doubled its share of market revenue
Rothstein is an avid runner who has completed multiple marathons. He is also a Type 1 Diabetic since the age of 13 and serves on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; since 2016, he has been a top fundraiser for the organization’s annual One Walk.
Vermont Association of Broadcasters 