Bob Ellis, Vice President and General Manager of WDIV-TV, has been named the #1 Top Local TV Leader in the Fall 2023 edition of Radio + Television Business Report (RBR+TVBR).

Ellis began his tenure as VP & GM at the Graham Media Group NBC affiliate in Detroit, Michigan, in October 2021, following his 12 year run as VP & GM at WJXT-TV/WCWJ-TV, GMG’s duopoly in Jacksonville, Florida.

“When I was growing up, WDIV was my station," Ellis commented, having started his career at the Detroit station as a young producer soon after he graduated from Michigan State University. "When I was coming up in the industry, WDIV is where I learned what it meant to produce great TV every day and serve a community.”

Radio + Television Business Report highlighted Ellis’ recognition of the significance of local news and its impact on the community. He told RBR+TVBR that he believes that live coverage provided by the local TV station is more reliable and trustworthy than any other medium, including apps or social media. According to him, they can deliver real-time news from a reliable source the community trusts. He emphasizes that it is crucial to embrace this concept and focus on providing live coverage since people still prefer it. In times of natural disasters or unfolding tragedies, the local TV station still serves as the lifeline for the community, and this role is just as crucial today as ever.

“There’s never been a better time for our industry to serve the desires of our consumers by producing great content,” Ellis said. “Learning about how each platform can be used most effectively is what excites me about our future. It should excite all of us who work in local broadcast. The local television station with a great local website and now a great local streaming channel has an enormous role to play in the future. It has the opportunity to become more relevant than ever if we use each platform effectively to inform and educate in our communities.”

The RBR+TVBR introduced its inaugural Top Local TV Leaders list in 2019. This honor roll recognized the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of local television station leaders during a time when the United States faces unprecedented challenges.