KGO – Local TV Director (Freelance) (Expression Of Interest)

Job Position(s): KGO - Local TV Director (Freelance) (Expression Of Interest)

Disney is building a talent pipeline for a Freelance Local TV Director at KGO-TV ABC7 in San Francisco, CA. This is a live television production role seated in the control room, responsible for directing daily newscasts across multiple dayparts using automation, robotics, and graphics systems in a high-volume local news environment. It suits an experienced broadcast director who thrives on the structure and pressure of live newscast production and knows their way around modern control room workflows.

About the Role

KGO-TV produces more than 45 hours of live newscasts each week, making it one of the busiest local television production operations in the country. This Freelance Local TV Director role sits inside that output, working directly with producers, anchors, and engineering staff to execute newscasts from the director’s chair. A typical day involves calling shots on live broadcast, managing graphics and robotic camera cues, and coordinating across departments in real time.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily live newscasts and local production across morning, evening, and weekend dayparts as scheduled.
• Operate within a computer-assisted broadcast environment using Ross Overdrive Automation to execute newscast rundowns.
• Call and coordinate Vinten Robotics camera movements in alignment with on-air talent blocking and editorial flow.
• Trigger and manage Xpression graphics in real time, ensuring accuracy and timing against anchor reads and package elements.
• Work within Dalet systems as part of the integrated local news production workflow.
• Collaborate directly with newscast producers before and during broadcasts to anticipate format changes and breaking news pivots.

What You Bring

• Minimum five years of experience in television production, specifically in live newscast or live broadcast directing.
• Hands-on operational knowledge of Ross Overdrive, Vinten Robotics, Xpression graphics, and Dalet systems.
• Proven ability to direct across multiple dayparts in a high-volume local news or episodic television production environment.
• Strong understanding of newscast structure, including rundown management and live segment execution.
• Eligibility and willingness to work under the Directors Guild of America agreement.
• A BA in Communications or equivalent production experience is preferred.

Why This Role

KGO-TV is the Bay Area’s leading local news station and part of Disney’s eight owned ABC stations, a group that consistently sets the standard for local television production in major markets. This position is covered under the Directors Guild of America agreement, with a pay range of $755 per day to $3,054 per week. Note that this is an Expression of Interest posting, meaning this Freelance Local TV Director role is not currently open but resumes are being collected for consideration when the position becomes available.

Submit your resume now to be considered for the Freelance Local TV Director role at Disney KGO-TV ABC7 in San Francisco.