CINCINNATI – John M. Culliton, a recognized leader and innovator in the broadcast television industry, has been named vice president and general manager of KNXV-TV in Phoenix, effective Oct. 14. KNXV, an ABC television network affiliate, is owned and operated by The E. W. Scripps Company.Culliton, 41, earned recognition as one of the country’s most respected broadcast television executives while leading CBS affiliates, KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, and WCCO-TV in Minneapolis.Culliton was vice president and general manager for KCBS from 1996 to 1999. From 1993 to 1996 he was vice president and general manager of WCCO, a consistent winner of national journalistic awards. WCCO won the Edward R. Murrow award for being the country’s top news station during Culliton’s tenure as the station’s vice president of news (1989-93).“John Culliton has a national reputation as an innovative television executive,” said John F. Lansing, senior vice president for the Scripps television station group. “His recent experience creating successful new media enterprises demonstrates a high level of enthusiasm and energy, which we’re confident will help us take KNXV to higher heights.” Culliton comes to KNXV after spending the past three years creating and developing two companies that provide new media and Internet services for the broadcast television industry. Culliton is the co-founder of Internet Broadcasting Systems (IBS), which co-owns and operates Web sites for major broadcast companies, including NBC, Hearst-Argyle, Post-Newseek and McGraw-Hill.He also is the co-founder of Digital Cyclone, a personalized online and wireless service that is funded and distributed by Belo Corp. and IBS. Culliton succeeds Brad Nilsen who is leaving KNXV after 21 years with the station. Nilsen will continue to work as a consultant for the station and assist in the transition.Culliton has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia.The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks, interactive media and plans to enter the television-retailing market. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations and four cable television networks. Scripps national television network brands include Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY — Do It Yourself Network and Fine Living. Scripps Networks programming can be seen in 25 countries. The company has announced its intention to acquire the Shop At Home television-retailing network. The acquisition is pending approval by Shop At Home shareholders.Scripps also operates Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, the worldwide licensing and syndication home of PEANUTS and DILBERT, and 31 Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com, fineliving.com and comics.com.