Hearst TV ups Discovery alum to oversee Very Local programming

Laura Ling

Hearst Television has promoted Laura Ling to VP of its free community-focused US streaming service Very Local.

In this new role, Ling oversees the strategy and team responsible for new, locally focused original programming for Very Local, which Hearst Television launched in 2021 to provide original non-scripted programming across varied genres.

Very Local is a streaming channel that offers access to local news and weather as well as original series focusing on food, travel, dating and true crime with a focus on the local area.

Ling previously served as Hearst Television’s director of programming for its streaming video services group, which she joined in 2021. She has been responsible for the development of original unscripted titles for Very Local including Finding Adventure, Maker Nation, My Amazing Cheap Date, Eat Play Stay, and Plate It!, as well as overseeing the production of original documentaries such as Prom(ish).

Prior to Hearst Television, Ling served as head of development for Discovery Digital Networks and VP of news and documentaries at Current TV.  She has worked as a producer and host for E!, Discovery, Z Living and Channel One News, and her work has appeared on projects for Nightline, NBC and PBS.

“Laura is an exceptional creative mind and leader whose work highlighting local communities across the United States has broken new ground for Hearst Television, allowing us to tell more original stories celebrating localism,” said Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television.