Blake Byrne, general manager of KCAL-TV Channel...

Blake Byrne, general manager of KCAL-TV Channel 9, will retire after 16 months at the helm of the Walt Disney Co. station. Under Byrne, 55, the formerly problem-plagued KHJ changed its name and tried to change its image, in part by launching the first three-hour prime-time newscast in the country. Jim Saunders, KCAL vice president and manager, will become acting general manager. Byrne would not elaborate on his reasons. “I will not discuss anything about private conversations that took place between the Disney Co. and Blake Byrne,” he said.