Eric Lerner is president and general manager of NBC 4 New York / WNBC, the flagship television station of the NBC television network. Named to the post in 2015, Lerner has driven the station’s strategic expansion from linear television into an extensive multiplatform portfolio, generating sustained audience and revenue growth. Under his leadership, NBC 4 New York was awarded the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for news coverage of the 2020 coronavirus outbreak. The duPont has long been recognized as the broadcast, documentary and on-line equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, also awarded by Columbia University. 

NBC 4 New York prioritized investments in weather, investigative reporting and operational technology during Lerner’s tenure. This includes the launch of StormTracker 4, a commercial, high-frequency S-Band weather radar unique to the Northeast and has proven itself as a game-changer in Tri-State weather technology. StormTracker 4 provides NBC 4 New York viewers with the most precise and accurate weather information in the Tri-State region, including real-time weather information down to street level. The station also expanded operational collaboration with sister station Telemundo 47/WNJU and established an innovative formal partnership with Montclair State University’s School of Communications and Media during this time. 

Prior to arriving in New York, Lerner served for three years as president and general manager of WCAU, serving the Greater Philadelphia area. Lerner implemented a strategic plan which successfully re-invigorated station operations, grew ratings and strengthened the station’s position within the market. When NBCUniversal acquired Telemundo62 / WWSI in July 2013, Lerner was tapped to assume leadership responsibility of both stations. WWSI launched its first-ever local newscast under his leadership, delivering Spanish-speaking viewers with the timeliest news, weather and community information in the Philadelphia market.

Lerner was the vice president and general manager of KIRO, the CBS affiliate in Seattle from 2006 to early 2012. KIRO strengthened its position in the market, increased ratings and was awarded a 2009 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence during this time. Before working at KIRO, Lerner was president and general manager of KFSN in Fresno from 2001 to 2006. 

His career also includes work as news director at WLS in Chicago, KING in Seattle and KWCH in Wichita. Prior to this time, Lerner held news management and production positions at stations in Rochester, Buffalo, Greensboro and Des Moines. He started his career as an assistant news consultant for Frank N. Magid Associates.

A member of the Board of Directors for the New York State Broadcasters Association, Lerner holds a B.A. in Broadcast Communications and Sociology from Macalester College. He is married with two children.