Zappala, Tom

Tom Zappala is responsible for developing and executing the programming strategy for national and local brands across all platforms in order to grow revenue and profits at The E.W. Scripps Company.

Zappala has more than 30 years of programming and production experience, having held leadership roles at entertainment giants including Viacom, The Walt Disney Company and CBS. 

Before joining Scripps, he led programming strategy for MGM Global Networks’ linear and digital networks. In this role, Zappala negotiated and acquired content to support programming initiatives and stunts, oversaw digital scheduling functions and facilitated renewal discussions with MVPDs and digital partners.  

Previously, Zappala served as executive vice president, programming for Viacom Media Networks and, from 2003-2011, as executive vice president of acquisitions and scheduling for Disney|ABC Networks Group, developing programming and co-production strategies. Before joining Disney, Zappala held a variety of leadership roles at CBS. As senior vice president, programming, he directed all programming and research operations for CBS’s owned-and-operated TV stations.