Woodcock to Manage KCBS-TV

David Woodcock, who last week left his position as president and general manager of KCOP-TV Channel 13, has been named vice president and general manager of KCBS-TV Channel 2, the station announced Tuesday.

Woodcock, who starts his new job Monday, succeeds John Severino, who will remain a consultant to the Viacom Inc.-owned station through the end of the year, said Fred Reynolds, president of Viacom Television Stations Group.

In an interview, Woodcock, who also served as president and general manager of KCAL-TV Channel 9 from 1991 to 1996, said his experience at other local TV stations provided a unique perspective that would help in steering KCBS. He added that he is “very thrilled and extremely excited to be starting on this new adventure. I also believe this is a perfect time to be joining KCBS.”

Woodcock left KCOP, where he had worked since 1999, just as Chris-Craft Television, its parent company, is being acquired by News Corp., owner of the Fox network and KTTV-TV Channel 11 locally. The expectation is that News Corp. will look for opportunities to share resources between those stations, resulting in savings in news and operating costs.

Woodcock said he is aware of KCBS’ difficulties over the last several years, in which the station has seen a revolving door of general managers and news directors. The station traditionally has trailed its network-owned rivals in ratings for its newscasts and in revenue.

Severino launched a campaign to label KCBS “The Station of the People,” which has resulted in a number of format changes but not a significant increase in viewership.

“I don’t want to make any decisions right now about what to do,” Woodcock said. “I want to get familiar with the station and see what the research is.”