Sean Compton

Sean Compton is an American television executive. He currently serves as Sr. Vice President of Programming and Entertainment for Tribune Company. Compton oversees programming for 40 Tribune & Local TV television stations and cable channel WGN America including handling all scheduling for the network reaching 72 million homes.

Early Years

Born in Indianapolis and raised in Connersville Indiana; it was radio that provided his first opportunity for employment when in high school he worked at a variety of small Indiana stations including WCNB in Connersville and WQLK in Richmond as well as 50,000 watt Price Communications station in Fort Wayne, 1190 WOWO. Compton's first programming position came at the age of 19 when he was hired as program director of a former top 40 legend, WSAI Radio in Cincinnati.

Career at Jacor & Clear Channel

In the early 90's Compton began working in the corporate programming department for Jacor Communications using the title "Not a Vice President" as a joke arising from the number of employees who were VPs. Compton became VP of Programming in the fall of 1998 when Jacor Commmunications was acquired by Clear Channel. In that role he has been responsible for creating and overseeing a variety of national radio programs including American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, "Costas on the Radio" hosted by Bob Costas, a daily morning show hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and radio features with Donald Trump, Ty Pennington and Maria Bartiromo. Compton has also landed Clear Channel some of its highest profile programming from suppliers outside the company. He successfully negotiated a long term partnership with Fox News Radio heard on over 100 Clear Channel stations. Most notable of all the radio deals Compton was behind the Clear Channel/Citadel 5 year $100 million dollar deal with radio talk host Sean Hannity announced in July 2008.

Leaving Clear Channel

Compton along with 3 other executives left Clear Channel for Tribune Company on April 1st, 2008 to join their former Jacor boss Randy Michaels.

The Tribune/LocalTV management Stations