By Roberta Gonzales, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences SF/Norcal Chapter

FOX Television Stations (FTS) has announced a major leadership transition within its California properties.

Amber Eikel, currently General Manager of KTTV FOX 11 in Los Angeles, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager of FTS’ California stations. In her new role, she will oversee Oakland’s KTVU FOX 2, KICU Channel 36 (KTVU+), KTTV FOX 11, and KCOP FOX 11+ in Los Angeles.

Eikel, who was also recently named Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager of the Los Angeles duopoly (KTTV FOX 11 and KCOP FOX 11+) in addition to leading Seattle’s KCPQ FOX 13 and KZJO FOX 13+, brings a wealth of newsroom and management experience to this expanded role.

She has deep ties to the Bay Area, spending more than a decade at KTVU/KICU in leadership positions including Vice President and News Director, Assistant News Director, and Managing Editor. Prior to her time at KTVU, she worked at KIRO in Seattle, KTNV in Las Vegas, and began her career at KMIR in Palm Springs as a producer and news director.

Reflecting on the transition, Eikel shared:

“Working closely with Mellynda and the accomplished team of KTVU journalists over the last decade has distinctly prepared me to take the reins, as I deeply understand the San Francisco market and the importance of these legacy stations to the communities they serve.”

This appointment comes as Mellynda Hartel, the current Senior Vice President and General Manager of KTVU FOX 2 and KICU Channel 36 (KTVU+), announces her retirement after an extraordinary 35-year career with Fox Television Stations.

Hartel has led the San Francisco Bay Area duopoly since 2018, following more than a decade at FTS’ Phoenix stations, where she served as Vice President and General Sales Manager and later as Vice President and Director of Sales. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at WFXT in Boston and WTTG in Washington, D.C., before beginning her career as a media assistant at Goldberg Marchesano.

Her four-decade journey in broadcasting leaves a lasting legacy of innovation, dedication, and leadership across multiple major markets.

As FTS ushers in this new chapter, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences extends congratulations to Amber Eikel on her expanded leadership role, and deepest appreciation to Mellynda Hartel for her many contributions to local journalism and broadcasting excellence.

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