Weigel Broadcasting Names Elizabeth Tumulty SVP Of Affiliate Relations
•February 10, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
The leadership change equips Weigel with seasoned expertise to strengthen affiliate negotiations and accelerate network expansion, a critical driver of advertising revenue in today’s multi‑platform TV environment. It signals the company’s commitment to scaling its distribution footprint amid intensifying competition.
Key Takeaways
- •Elizabeth Tumulty named SVP of Affiliate Relations at Weigel
- •Replaces retiring Maura McDonough Cope after 42‑year TV career
- •Tumulty previously led CBS affiliate operations and launched The CW
- •Expertise includes modernizing affiliation agreements and scaling networks
- •Appointment aims to expand Weigel’s affiliate footprint nationally
Pulse Analysis
Weigel Broadcasting’s decision to appoint Elizabeth Tumulty as senior vice president of affiliate relations reflects a strategic push to solidify its distribution backbone. Affiliate relations serve as the conduit between national networks and local stations, directly influencing carriage fees, advertising inventory, and market reach. By installing a veteran who has navigated the complexities of network growth at CBS and helped launch The CW, Weigel positions itself to negotiate more favorable terms and streamline the onboarding of new affiliates, essential for sustaining viewership in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Tumulty’s résumé reads like a masterclass in broadcast distribution. At CBS, she oversaw the modernization of affiliation agreements, integrating digital rights and data‑driven performance metrics that align with contemporary advertising models. Her role in establishing The CW’s initial affiliate framework gave her hands‑on experience scaling a network from concept to a national presence, a skill set directly applicable to Weigel’s portfolio of ten networks and over 1,000 affiliates. This background equips her to address the evolving demands of local stations, such as flexible content delivery, localized ad insertion, and cross‑platform monetization, all while maintaining the consistency required for national brand integrity.
Industry analysts view the appointment as a bellwether for mid‑size broadcasters seeking to compete with larger conglomerates. As cord‑cutting accelerates and streaming options proliferate, robust affiliate relationships become a differentiator for securing linear audience share and ancillary revenue streams. Tumulty’s expertise is likely to accelerate Weigel’s efforts to expand into new markets, renegotiate legacy contracts, and integrate emerging technologies like addressable advertising. In the broader context, her leadership could inspire similar talent moves across the sector, underscoring the premium placed on affiliate acumen in a rapidly evolving broadcast ecosystem.
Weigel Broadcasting Names Elizabeth Tumulty SVP Of Affiliate Relations
Weigel Broadcasting Co. today appointed Elizabeth Tumulty senior vice president of affiliate relations. Tumulty, a broadcast executive with over 20 years of experience driving network television growth and revenue innovation, joins the company as Maura McDonough Cope, senior vice president of affiliate relations, announces her retirement following a 42-year career in the television industry.
“As we look to the future, we are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to the Weigel team. Her reputation as a strategic powerhouse and her deep-rooted respect within the broadcast community make her the perfect leader to build upon the incredible relationships Maura has fostered,” said Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. “We are forever grateful for Maura’s ability to scale our networks and to pass the baton to Elizabeth as we continue to evolve and expand Weigel’s partnerships.”
Tumulty joins Weigel with a track record of navigating complex media landscapes. Previously, she was president of affiliate relations for the CBS Television Network, where she oversaw all affiliate operations, strategic planning, and the modernization of affiliation agreements.
Prior to her time at CBS, Tumulty was a founding member of the senior executive team that launched The CW Network as the inaugural head of distribution and affiliate relations. Her career also includes significant leadership roles at The WB Network, where she rose through the ranks to lead day-to-day affiliate operations and communications. Recognized by Broadcasting & Cable and The Wall Street Journal, Tumulty is “known for her ability to cultivate high-stakes executive relationships and deliver measurable results in rapidly evolving environments,” Weigel said.
Tumulty succeeds Maura McDonough Cope, who announced her retirement following an accomplished career in the television industry. After starting as a National Rep at Petry Television and rising to vice president of the central region at Paramount Television Syndication. Cope joined Weigel in 2010. The company said: “Her unique ability to combine programming distribution knowledge with the specific needs of local stations helped build the company’s affiliate distribution from one network with a single affiliate to ten networks with more than 1,000 affiliates.”
The post Weigel Broadcasting Names Elizabeth Tumulty SVP Of Affiliate Relations appeared first on TV News Check.
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