TYSONS, Va.—Tegna has announced that Tim Thomas will become the president and general manager at WTLV and WJXX, the NBC and ABC affiliates in Jacksonville, effective April 3, 2023. 

Thomas will be responsible for overseeing the stations’ operations across platforms, as well as leading community service efforts and driving results for advertisers.

Thomas joins WTLV and WJXX, known as First Coast News, from West Texas where he was president and general manager and led all operations across KWES, KXVA, and KIDY. 

During his time in Texas Thomas led KWES and KXVA to significant broadcast share growth, and in 2022, KWES received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence. In Midland-Odessa, the station partnered with local nonprofits to raise $1.4 million dollars for the Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center and supported thousands of families during the holidays through the Salvation Army.

Previously, Thomas was station operations manager for WXIA-WATL in Atlanta, leading local on-air and digital programming and creating new business opportunities. Prior to WXIA-WATL, Thomas was news operations director at First Coast News.

“Tim’s leadership style, authenticity and teamwork are second to none,” said Larry Delia, SVP, media operations at Tegna. “His experience, strategic thinking and ability to foster an inclusive and positive culture make him a great fit as he returns to Jacksonville to lead the First Coast News team.”

Thomas has an associate degree in mass communication from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree in business management. He is also a 2022 National Association of Broadcasters Business Leadership Program graduate.

WASHINGTON—A settlement has been reached between the FCC and Tegna after the Commission threw a flag over an advertisement for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars from WTLV that used Emergency Alert System tones.

The FCC received a complaint on Aug. 9, 2016, alleging that WTLV had “aired a commercial multiple times that improperly used the EAS data burst and tone.” The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau investigated the Jacksonville, Fla., station and found that the advertisement opened with EAS tones accompanies by the sounds of howling winds and thunder claps. Between the EAS tones, a voiceover stated: “This is an emergency broadcast transmission. This is not a test. This is an emergency broadcast transmission. This is not a test. Please remain calm. Seek shelter.” The ad then closes with EAS tones playing in the background.

The ad aired four times between Aug. 6, 2016 and Aug. 8, 2016. After seeing a broadcast of the advertisement, a WTLV staffer halted further airings and contacted station management.

The transmission of actual or simulated EAS tones is prohibited except in cases of an actual emergency, authorized tests, or some public service announcements.

Tegna, which owns WTLV, reached a settlement with the FCC that will see it pay a $55,000 fine, admit to misuse of EAS tones, and will implement a compliance and reporting plan to avoid this type of situation in the future.

The full settlement is available here.