Window To The World Communications, Inc. Names Hugo Balta as News Director, WTTW News

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.”