The Local TV, Inc. (LTV Studios) Board of Directors has formally appointed Josh Gladstone to the role of executive director, effective Wednesday, November 19. Gladstone had been serving as interim executive director at LTV since August 8.
“I’m pleased to share that, after thoughtful consideration and with full support of the Board, Josh Gladstone has been appointed Executive Director of Local TV, Inc.,” said J.P. Foster, president of LTV’s Board of Directors. “Since stepping in to guide the organization this past summer, Josh has shown unwavering dedication to our mission. His steady hand, sound judgment, and genuine care for this team have been evident every step of the way. He has been a strong leader for the station and a generous mentor to many, helping strengthen both our daily operations and our long-term vision. Josh brings with him a long and respected history in the arts and nonprofit world, and that depth of experience has already made a meaningful difference. We are fortunate to have someone with his passion, integrity, and creativity leading LTV into its next chapter.”
Gladstone came to LTV as creative director in October 2023 and, among other accomplishments, oversaw the organization’s arts programming, helped usher in the return of The Playwrights’ Theatre of East Hampton, and launched the popular Hamptons Summer Songbook By the Sea series.
Gladstone said he feels honored to have the confidence of the LTV Board of Directors and looks forward to leading LTV with fresh energy and innovative ideas in collaboration with its amazing team of employees.
“Founded over 40 years ago by legendary visionary Frazer Dougherty, LTV has been a proud, bright, and ever-evolving thread in the tapestry of the East End,” Gladstone said. “We’re a non-profit dedicated to the voices and stories of our community — committed to transparency in local government, to education without expense, and to equal-opportunity freedom of speech. All are welcome here. In recent years, the leadership of LTV has recognized the increased value of opening our unique facilities as a third space for in-person civic engagement, creative exploration, and entertainment. I’m proud to build upon all of LTV’s exemplary growth in recent years, and look forward with great excitement to the projects and possibilities of the seasons ahead.”
Among the goals he has for LTV are broadening community access to public broadcasting, including an expansion of services provided to East Hampton Town, East Hampton Village, and other municipalities across the East End; advancing production services and making the team of in-house media professionals, led by Jason Nower, available to support the vision and growth of other local businesses and organizations; championing the importance of hyper-local connection with the burgeoning “East End News” show produced by award-winning journalist Christine Sampson; and producing and presenting events in the funky Studio 3 blackbox.
Gladstone continued, “We’ve got a wonderful media complex out here in the woods of Wainscott — and while the place needs some patches, some fixes, some ‘T.L.C.’ — it’s careworn with love and active usage. And most importantly — most worthy of celebrating — our team of brilliant, young, impassioned creatives who are taking LTV to the next level. I think Frazer would be proud.”