NEW YORK, N.Y. and ORLANDO, Fla. -- James J. Carter has been named president and general manager of WESH-TV and WKCF-TV, the Hearst-Argyle Television NBC and CW affiliates, respectively, serving the Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne, Fla., TV market. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced by David J. Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

Carter, who since 1999 has served as president and general manager of WLKY-TV, the Hearst-Argyle CBS affiliate in Louisville, Ky., succeeds William P. (Bill) Bauman, who announced his retirement last month. A successor to Carter in Louisville will be named at a later date.

"Jim has been an outstanding executive for our company over the past 20 years," Barrett said. "Most recently, his leadership of WLKY has been most impressive, notably in the area of top-quality local news, critically acclaimed community service and solid growth in ratings, revenue and profitability. Jim will help the WESH/WKCF team build on the successes they’ve achieved in the Orlando market."

Under Carter’s management, WLKY has had the top-rated late news in Louisville for 21 of the last 22 rating periods. In addition to the Service to America (Television) Award, recognizing a single U.S. TV station for the totality of its efforts in serving the community, WLKY earned nine 2007 regional EMMY Awards including "Station Excellence" and "News Excellence," and it earned eight 2007 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including "Overall Excellence" and "News Excellence."

Carter serves as board chairman of the Louisville March of Dimes chapter and as president of The Spirit of Louisville Foundation. He also serves on the boards of Wednesday’s Child Inc., Volunteers of America, the Kentucky Derby Festival, The Greater Louisville Sports Commission, Gallopalooza and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.

Carter moved to WLKY-TV from WTAE-TV, Hearst-Argyle’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he served as vice president/sales. Previously, Carter was vice president/general manager of WTAE-AM/WVTY-FM, then owned by Hearst Corporation. In 1987, he oversaw WTAE-AM’s format change making the station Pittsburgh’s first full-time, locally produced news/talk station; the Pittsburgh radio stations received numerous awards, including honors for excellence in news and sports programming, from the Associated Press and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. Carter began his career as an account executive with Lloyd Advertising in Omaha, later joining Meredith Corporation as an account executive with WOW-AM, Omaha, and, at age 26, he was appointed station manager of Meredith’s KEZO-FM, Omaha. A native of Chicago, Carter holds a journalism degree from Drake University. Among several other industry groups, he has served on the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters board of directors.