Bert Medina WPLG: A Miami Hero

Bert Medina, President & CEO of WPLG-TV, was inducted into the Florida Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame for his decades of leadership in local broadcasting. From humble beginnings as a research analyst to leading Miami’s top station, Medina has championed community-focused journalism, won multiple Emmys, and guided WPLG through a historic transition to independence. A survivor, a storyteller, and a servant leader—Bert Medina is the embodiment of a true Miami Hero.

Bert Medina: A Miami Hero in Every Sense

What Makes a Miami Hero? A Miami Hero doesn’t wear a cape—they wear conviction. They are the first to step in, the last to give up, and the ones who quietly carry the weight of others without asking for applause. Whether it’s a police officer keeping our streets safe, a teacher shaping the next generation, a firefighter running toward danger, or a local leader fighting for the voiceless, Miami Heroes rise from every neighborhood, every background, every struggle. They are forged in perseverance, tempered by service, and driven by love for a city that beats with culture, chaos, and courage. A Miami Hero is not born—they are built, day by day, decision by decision, choosing others over self, choosing impact over indifference. In a city as vibrant and complex as ours, they remind us that greatness isn’t about spotlight—it’s about sacrifice.

Why Bert Medina Is a Miami Hero In a media landscape that is constantly evolving, few names shine as brightly as Bert Medina. Recently inducted into the Florida Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Medina has not only earned a place among broadcasting’s most revered leaders—he has become a symbol of what it means to serve, to lead, and to live with purpose.

Medina’s love for the medium began at age 12, when he would plan programming schedules using the TV Guide as his compass. That passion has carried him through a nearly 40-year career that began as a research analyst at WSVN, the Miami station under Sunbeam Television Corporation. From there, he rose through the ranks—Director of Broadcast Operations, Vice President of Programming, and eventually Corporate Director of Programming.

His trajectory took him to Univision, where he spent 13 years in executive roles, including Senior Vice President and Operating Manager of the TeleFutura Television Network. Under his leadership, TeleFutura became the #2 Spanish-language broadcast network in the U.S., second only to its sister network, Univision. His time in Chicago saw him managing both WGBO and WXFT, turning them into the top two Spanish-language stations in that market.

Medina returned to South Florida and joined WPLG-TV, the ABC affiliate in Miami-Fort Lauderdale, in 2013. By July 2014, he was named President and CEO of WPLG, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and the conglomerate’s sole broadcast property. His leadership ushered in a new era of community-focused journalism. Bert has been instrumental in producing impactful programming like the Emmy-winning “Juneteenth: Freedom Day,” “Don’t Trash Our Treasure,” and charitable campaigns such as “Day of Giving,” the “Big Bus Toy Express,” and the “Big Bus Book Drive.”

Medina’s leadership extends far beyond the newsroom. He has served on the boards of numerous institutions including the ABC Television Network Board of Governors, the Emma Bowen Foundation, the Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication, and Seneca Industrial Park. His heart, quite literally, lies with the Marfan Foundation—an organization that funds research for the genetic heart condition that he was diagnosed with in his 20s. As Chair-Elect of its Board of Directors, Medina continues to champion the cause with the same vigor he brings to his media endeavors.

In 2012, Bert faced a life-altering health scare during surgery, where he flatlined five times on the table. Surviving that ordeal only deepened his sense of mission. “It’s not about profit margins,” he once said. “It’s about how you touch people’s lives.” His philosophy resonates through every initiative he leads, every newsroom he guides, and every life he impacts.

A proud Cuban-American, Medina immigrated to South Florida at age 7 and has remained rooted in the community ever since. A graduate of Florida International University, he was recently inducted into the FIU Alumni Hall of Fame. He also serves as CEO of Miami Tower LLC and previously founded Cangas Communications, a media investment and management firm.

Most recently, Medina made headlines again when he informed WPLG staff that the station would become independent, ending its nearly 70-year relationship with ABC as of August 4. The move represents a seismic shift in Miami’s media landscape and positions WPLG for a new chapter under his seasoned direction.

Bert Medina doesn’t lead for attention—he leads because he believes Miami deserves the best. That’s what makes him a Miami Hero.