TV Guide Magazine Names National Editor

Joe R. Robinowitz, general manager of WFXT-TV in Boston and a former editor-in-chief of the Boston Herald, has been appointed national editor of TV Guide magazine.

“I’m delighted to be back in print journalism, particularly with such a prestigious magazine, which brings both worlds together,” Robinowitz said.

Robinowitz, 38, also worked at the New York Post, where he was appointed assistant managing editor in charge of developing a Sunday newspaper in 1981.

“Joe’s dual experience in print and television makes him an ideal choice,” said Joseph Cece, president of TV Guide, which has headquarters in Radnor, Pa. “We were lucky, as we were beginning the search for a new editor, that Joe became available.”

The appointment follows the resignation Sept. 14 of David Sendler, editor of TV Guide’s national features section and a 13-year veteran of the magazine. Sendler was considered a symbol of the more conservative approach of former TV Guide owner Walter H. Annenberg.

Sendler, who remained with the magazine as a consulting editor, said he resigned because of editorial differences with the new owner, Rupert Murdoch.

The Robinowitz appointment was announced by Martin Singerman, chief executive of News America Publishing Inc., Murdoch’s company. Murdoch owns the Herald, formerly owned the Post and is in the process of selling WFXT to the Boston Celtics.

“Joe has had a diversified career in the Murdoch organization since coming to us from Medill,” Singerman said. “In every instance he has made an impressive impact.”

Robinowitz graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and began his career as a reporter and copy editor at Murdoch’s San Antonio Express News.