Rogers State University has named a television executive with more than two decades of broadcast and communications management experience as the new general manager for RSU Public Television.
Royal Aills has extensive experience as a manager for both private and public broadcast stations, including seven years as station manager for Oklahoma Education Television Authority’s operations in Tulsa. He begins at RSU on Feb. 18.
At OETA, he oversaw a 10-person team and had management authority for all station operations, including news, engineering, production, underwriting, sponsorships, public affairs, digital technology management, marketing, budgeting and human resources. He worked closely with business partners, vendors, business and community leaders, state legislators and national organizations to advance the station’s interests.
During his tenure, he tripled the station’s ratings, increased the station’s brand in the region, strengthened corporate support and created a collaborative, team-oriented atmosphere. This resulted in the local station becoming one of the most watched PBS affiliates in the nation.
At RSU, Aills will oversee the only full-powered public television station licensed to a public university in Oklahoma. RSU Public TV provides educational, cultural and general interest programming to an audience of 1.3 million viewers in northeastern Oklahoma, and the Tulsa metropolitan area. RSU Public TV broadcasts via DISH, DirectTV and UHF Channel 35 and is carried on 76 cable systems including Cox Cable Channel 109 (35.1) and 110 (35.2) in Tulsa and Claremore.
“Royal Aills brings with him an exceptional track record in building and expanding television stations and media enterprises, and he is intimately familiar with northeastern Oklahoma,” said RSU President Dr. Larry Rice. “We are excited to bring Royal to Rogers State so that we can maximize our station’s potential to improve educational opportunity and the quality of life for area residents.”
After leaving OETA, Aills served in 2005-2007 as general manager for Tulsa’s KWHB TV 47, where he supervised increases in profitability and viewership. During his tenure, he also expanded the station’s community outreach and expanded relationships with business and community leaders.
He served in 2007-2008 as general manager for the Tulsa-based Faith Channel, a digital media network dedicated to expanding Christian ministry through existing and emerging communication channels. He was responsible for developing sales staff, business plan and programming for the worldwide network.
Since 2009, he has worked in the communications industry first for AT&T as an account manager for small business and most recently for Cox Communications working with new and existing commercial customers regarding bundled telephony, data and video products.
A Broken Arrow resident, Aills earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from John Brown University.
More information about RSU Public TV programming is available at www.rsu.tv.