Jacques Natz named General Manager of News 12
Altice USA’s News 12 Networks, the award-winning hyperlocal news group serving the New York tri-state area, today announces the appointment of Jacques Natz as General Manager. Natz reports to Eric Harris, Chief Operating Officer of Altice News.
A longtime veteran journalist, digital and media strategist, Natz is responsible for the oversight of the entire News 12 organization, including editorial and business operations for all of News 12’s seven regional networks. Natz will focus on News 12’s continued growth in the digital space, maintaining and growing News 12’s strong linear viewership in the New York Metropolitan Area, while also working closely with a4, Altice USA’s advanced advertising division, on local partnership and revenue opportunities.
“Throughout his career, Jacques has demonstrated his love for the news business and has had a hand in building great media properties with loyal audiences” said Jon Steinberg, President of Altice News and Advertising. “We’re thrilled to have him aboard as the General Manager of News 12 and look forward to him bringing his incredible talent, expertise, and vision to our newsrooms.”
“I’ve always admired News 12 as the gold standard in hyperlocal news and couldn’t be more excited to serve as the organization’s General Manager,” said Natz. “There’s never been a more important time to work with the extremely talented journalists and staff across all seven networks who are providing the critical information to keep News 12 viewers safe at home, work, and school.”
Natz is joining an organization that has consistently received recognition from the highest levels for its in-depth coverage of local stories and events. Last month at the 63rd Annual New York Emmy Awards, News 12 scored a network-leading 69 nominations and took home 17 wins, also the most out of any network, including major broadcast stations. The network also received six Edward R. Murrow awards this year from the prestigious Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).
Natz joins News 12 after almost eight years as the SVP & Senior Consultant for media research at consulting firm SmithGeiger, where his role centered on helping network, local news operations and digital companies with their strategic planning to build audience and elevate content on all platforms. His background also includes six years in Manhattan as Hearst TV’s first digital content director from 2006 - 2012 helping their 25 plus stations grow their digital footprint.
As news director in Boston (WHDH), Seattle (KOMO) and Indianapolis (WTHR) he helped guide his newsrooms on big news coverage, weather, investigative and day to day news and brand development. Natz is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He lives in Jersey City with his wife Mimi and has two grown children, Jacqueline and Suzanne.