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Frank Biancuzzo, president of Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) since its inception in 2021, will retire from the company in mid-2026. Hollywood Reporter I learned exclusively. Although HPMG was founded only five years ago, it came on the heels of Hearst’s acquisition of Litton Entertainment, an educational/information programming company best known for its production. Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures Biancuso has been with Hearst Television for 31 years.
“There is no executive more prepared than Frank,” said Hearst Television President Michael J. Hayes. “He was a mentor, leader and partner to me and many others. His strategic and critical thinking will leave an indelible mark on our company. This will be Frank’s legacy.”
Biancuzzo’s successor at HMPG will be announced later.
“Renewal is essential in this industry, and I have been fortunate to build four distinct career chapters in my 31 years with Hearst Television,” Biancuso said. “Working alongside the exceptional leadership team at Hearst has been the ultimate honor of my career.”
Biancuso’s career also included local television news production, promotion, research, marketing and general management. As president of HMPG, Biancuzzo expanded its original content, production and distribution, and restarted the company’s expansion into unscripted entertainment programming. The company says HMPG reaches more than 17 million viewers weekly, with 85 original series across various platforms in more than 100 countries.
Prior to forming HMPG, Biancuso served as executive vice president of Hearst Television and group president, where he co-oversaw the company’s television and radio stations. Biancuzzo was previously president and general manager of WISN-TV, and Hearst Television’s ABC station in Milwaukee (and the market’s news ratings leader at the time). WISN was the No. 1 ABC affiliate in America to deliver to a prime-time audience and won the George Foster Peabody Award for investigative journalism.
Prior to WISN, Biancuso was part of the Hearst Television team overseeing marketing and promotions for the station group, and before that Whichwas an executive director of marketing research and consulting at Frank N. Magid Associates.
Biancuso served as Vice Chairman of the CBS Board of Directors and Chairman of the News Committee of the Board of Directors, and as an advisor to the Promotions Committee of the Board of Directors of the ABC affiliate. Biancuzzo has won gold medals from previous Promax/BDA Awards, Emmy Awards, and the World Medal from the New York International Film Festival. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Wisconsin and has moderated major national panel discussions on the state of broadcast journalism and national political coverage.
