Top program exec Dan Soles to leave WTTW

Dan Soles

For nearly 25 years, everything you saw on WTTW-Channel 11 first had to pass the high standards of Dan Soles. Now he’s leaving.

Signaling changes in store for the public television station, Soles confirmed Monday that he’s departing as senior vice president and chief television content officer of parent company Window to the World Communications. His last day will be June 28.

“I’m very grateful for my time at WTTW and am looking forward to the future,” Soles told me. The station said he would be “exploring new opportunities.”

No successor has been named.

WTTW

“Over the past 24 years, Dan’s experience, diligence, deep knowledge of the PBS system, and dedication to WTTW have contributed to our position as one of the leading public media organizations in the country,” Sandra Cordova Micek, president and CEO of WTTW, told staffers in an email. “His work on the local and national television pipeline and schedule has left an indelible mark, and he will be greatly missed.”

Micek, who succeeded Dan Schmidt as chief executive last year, is in the final stages of developing a new three-year strategic plan for WTTW as well as co-owned classical music station WFMT 98.7-FM. Insiders say the plan is expected to have a significant impact on WTTW's programming.

Soles joined WTTW as broadcast manager in 1995 and moved up to director of programming before he was named senior vice president and chief television content officer. In addition to overseeing the acquisition and scheduling of all programs for WTTW, he served as president of the Public Television Programmers Association.

A native of Flushing, New York, and graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Soles previously was assistant program manager at Georgia Public Television.

Here is the complete text of Micek’s email to staff:

Dear Colleagues,

It is with warm wishes and gratitude that I announce the upcoming departure of Senior Vice President and Chief Television Content Officer, Dan Soles. Dan has let us know that he will be exploring new opportunities.

Over the past 24 years, Dan’s experience, diligence, deep knowledge of the PBS system, and dedication to WTTW have contributed to our position as one of the leading public media organizations in the country. His work on the local and national television pipeline and schedule has left an indelible mark, and he will be greatly missed.

Dan’s last day will be Friday, June 28, and he will connect with his direct reports over the coming weeks on transition planning. Details for a farewell celebration will be forthcoming.

In the meantime, please join me in wishing Dan the very best in his future endeavors!

Sandra

Monday’s comment of the day: Rick La Fever: Money begets money until The Day of Reckoning. Then it doesn't matter. Instead of valuing people, we value paper or electrons.