Gray Media Taps Veteran Executive Jay Hiett to Lead Louisville TV Stations

Event summary

  • Jay Hiett appointed General Manager of WDRB, WAVE, and WBKI in Louisville, effective immediately.
  • Hiett brings 25 years of broadcast experience, most recently as GM of WFIE in Evansville, Indiana.
  • Gray Media operates 117 full-power television markets, reaching 37% of US television households.
  • Hiett previously held leadership roles at WTVW and KARD, focusing on revenue growth and audience engagement.

The big picture

Gray Media's appointment of Jay Hiett underscores its focus on consolidating and optimizing local television markets. As the largest owner of top-rated local TV stations, Gray continues to prioritize strategic leadership to maintain dominance in key markets. Hiett's track record in revenue growth and audience engagement aligns with Gray's broader strategy of leveraging local journalism and digital innovation to sustain market leadership.

What we're watching

Strategic Integration
How Hiett will merge operations of WDRB, WAVE, and WBKI to enhance market presence.
Revenue Growth
Whether Hiett can replicate his success from WFIE in Louisville's competitive media landscape.
Audience Engagement
The pace at which digital platform growth accelerates under Hiett's leadership.