CBS TV Stations Division to Name Rodgers President

CBS Inc., is ready to announce, possibly as early as today, that Johnathan Rodgers has been named president of the CBS television stations division, succeeding Eric Ober, who last week was named president of CBS News.

Rodgers, a former CBS News producer, is vice president and general manager of CBS-owned WBBM-TV Chicago. CBS also owns TV stations in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami.

The CBS-owned TV stations, although not as high-profile an operation as third-place CBS TV Network, nonetheless contribute a significant chunk to the company’s bottom line. Analysts estimate that the division last year brought in about $420 million in revenue, about 14% of the network’s total, but earned about $170 million, more than half of CBS’ profit.

The owned-and-operated TV station divisions of the three networks are becoming increasingly important because they can be used as a base to develop and produce lucrative syndicated TV programs. Federal regulations prohibit the networks from directly syndicating their own shows, although they are allowed to do so through independent, outside distributors on a limited basis.

Additionally, CBS will allow Rodgers to stay in Chicago instead of re-locating to CBS headquarters in New York. Rodgers had asked to remain in Chicago in order not to move his family.