ABC News local stations president leaving company

Wendy McMahon, the president of ABC’s local television station division, is leaving the company, New York Magazine’s Yashar Ali reported Wednesday.

Her immediate departure was announced in a staff email reportedly sent by Disney executive Debra O’Connell.

“I want to let you know about a change in the leadership of our ABC owned TV Stations. With immediate effect, Wendy McMahon is moving on from the company” wrote O’Connell, president of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, in an internal memo obtained by Ali.

Here’s part of the email Debra O’Connell, who heads up networks for Disney, sent to employees at owned stations about Wendy McMahon’s departure as president of ABC owned television stations group. https://t.co/VEb80Dmtq6 pic.twitter.com/EJuInO9AQN

— Yashar Ali (@yashar) April 14, 2021

Representatives from ABC did not immediately respond to The Hill’s requests for comment. McMahon could not be reached for comment.

Adweek also reported on McMahon stepping down.

McMahon had been with ABC for more than 11 years, according to her LinkedIn profile, starting as vice president of marketing and programming at Los Angeles station KABC-TV.

She previously worked for CBS stations in Boston and Minneapolis.

Earlier this week, ABC News announced that Kimberly Godwin will be its next president, making her the first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news division.

McMahon’s departure comes shortly after a change of leadership at the CBS group that runs the network’s local television stations.

In early April, CBS ousted Peter Dunn, who had been accused of racist and abusive behavior. Dunn has denied the allegations against him.