For immediate release
Chicago, IL - January 27, 2020
Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent of WTTW and WFMT, announced today that Hugo Balta has joined the organization as News Director for WTTW News effective February 3, 2020. Balta will have responsibility for leading, planning, reporting, producing, and editing news content and engagement across platforms and in the community, and will serve as Executive Producer of WTTW’s flagship news program Chicago Tonight. Balta will report to President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek and support the organization’s purpose to enrich lives, engage communities, and inspire exploration.
“Hugo is an innovative and seasoned journalist and news executive with a proven track record of success across media and a deep understanding of the importance of local journalism,” said Micek. “His entrepreneurial experience leading the vision and execution of quality news and driving strategy of live news programming makes him uniquely qualified to lead WTTW News successfully into the future.”
In his previous role, Balta served as Senior Producer at MSNBC overseeing editorial and production of high visibility live television shows, and was a member of the NBC/MSNBC Editorial Board. Balta is a two-time president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and the only president to serve a second term in the organization’s history. Balta was also the Publisher and Executive Editor of CTLatinoNews.com, the only English language news, information, and entertainment outlet dedicated to serving Hispanics/Latinos in Connecticut; and a talent development coach for The NWT Group, improving the presentation of on-air talent and assisting clients in identifying qualified and diverse candidates. Balta has also held production and editorial leadership positions at the Disney|ABC Television Group, ESPN, Telemundo, WCSB-TV in New York, and WTJV-TV in Miami.
"I'm excited and honored to be joining the venerated Chicago news community and an organization that embraces its mission to produce trusted, best-in-class content that inspires, educates, and reflects diverse perspectives,” said Balta. “I look forward to working with the talented team to place the responsibility of public media news in service of the community at the forefront of everything we do."
Window To The World Communications, Inc. is the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT. WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to producing and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions such as Chicago Tonight, Check, Please!, digital-first series FIRSTHAND and Urban Nature – and national productions 10 That Changed America and Nature Cat – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history, documentary, and children’s public media content. WFMT is one of the country’s most respected classical music radio services, showcasing the finest music programming and live performance, including Live from WFMT and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Series, across broadcast and digital platforms on 98.7FM, wfmt.com and the WFMT app.
