Hearst Television Advances Derek Schnell to Regional News Director Position
In a significant move, Derek Schnell has been promoted to the role of Regional Director of News for Hearst Television. This promotion marks a milestone in Schnell's career, which has been entirely within the Hearst Television family.
Schnell's journey with Hearst Television began after his internship at KETV in Omaha. He subsequently joined KOMU, the university-owned NBC affiliate in Columbia, where he started his journalism career while studying at the University of Missouri.
Over the years, Schnell has worked at multiple Hearst Television stations, including KOCO-TV, KMBC-TV, KCWE-TV, and KCRA/KQCA, where he has held various roles, including producer, executive producer, assistant news director, and news director.
At KCRA/KQCA, Schnell's efforts led to an increase in the volume of special programming and documentary work. This content has not only earned numerous national and regional honours across platforms but has also changed laws in California and sparked renewed investment in historically disadvantaged communities.
Under Schnell's leadership, KCRA and KQCA have expanded their coverage, cementing their position as Northern California's news leader. The stations have added 13 additional hours of newscasts each week, and Schnell has also launched daily linear and digital Spanish content initiatives.
In his new role, Schnell will have management oversight for KCRA/KQCA, KSBW-TV, and KOAT-TV news operations. He will also be more actively involved in the company's groupwide news initiatives.
Schnell's promotion is a testament to his natural leadership and creative, innovative mindset. His dedication and hard work have resulted in impactful changes and achievements, making him an ideal choice for this elevated position.
The exact details about the additional stations for which Schnell is responsible as Regional Director of News are yet to be disclosed. However, one thing is certain - Derek Schnell's influence and contributions will continue to shape the future of news broadcasting at Hearst Television.
