Mike Friedrich will take the news helm at longtime news leader WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC beginning May 2024.
News executive Mike Friedrich will take the helm at longtime news leader WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC beginning May 2024. He will lead the WRAL News content team across all platforms, including WRAL-TV, FOX 50, WRAL News+ (WNGT) and wral.com in addition to WRAL News content on all streaming platforms and FAST channels. The announcement was made today by Joel Davis, Vice-President and General Manager of WRAL-TV & FOX 50.
Friedrich currently leads the news team at KUTV (CBS, Sinclair) in Salt Lake City, UT. During his time at KUTV, ratings improved to #1 in both the morning and late news race and closed the gap considerably with a legacy competitor at 6pm. (Nielsen 2022-23 season average). The station saw the greatest share growth in that market during his tenure. Friedrich also spearheaded growth on KUTV digital and social platforms, including a 143% subscriber increase on KUTV’s YouTube page.
Mike Friedrich, incoming WRAL News Director
Commenting on the new role, Friedrich said: “I am honored to join one of the nation’s most respected news teams, serving Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, and the surrounding communities across North Carolina.” Reflecting on the WRAL News organization, Friedrich continued, “I consider WRAL to be on the Mount Rushmore of content centers. Their commitment to covering stories important to the Triangle and its dedication to showcasing what makes North Carolina unique and special is unmatched in the nation.”
Friedrich will take the WRAL News reins from 19-year WRAL News veteran Rick Gall, who announced his retirement last year. The early announcement of Gall’s retirement allows for overlap between Gall and Friedrich as WRAL News transitions to new leadership.
Well-known within the industry as a news leader, Friedrich has worked as a news manager for more than 20 years, with previous management roles in Washington DC, Houston and Baltimore. He also served as a Public Affairs Specialist and Team Lead at the U.S. Census Bureau’s Public Information Office.
WRAL-TV and FOX 50 Vice President and General Manager Joel Davis on the hire: “We are thrilled with the addition of Mike to the WRAL family. As a proven leader in local news, we know his guidance and leadership will be a great fit in maintaining and growing the diversified WRAL News products.”
Joel Davis, Vice-President & General Manager WRAL-TV & FOX 50
WRAL-TV is part of Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC), based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The award-winning, industry leading news team at WRAL produces more than 11 hours of daily weekday news and runs a standalone documentary team. WRAL News products are offered live, on-demand, digitally, and on WRAL News+, a standalone 24 hour news station. In the most recent ratings period WRAL News accounted for more than 60% of all news viewership in the Raleigh television market, which includes Fayetteville and Durham North Carolina. (Nielsen, December 2023)
Thanks to WRAL-TV for this CapCom story & for these CapCom photos.
