MediaMaven

So, Sinclair has decimated its station in Yakima.  And Tulsa, too. The Seattle News Director writes me and wonders why I am angry at him intruding on Mary Nam's goodbye reel, when he has known her for all of 15 months.   I am not angry, I am dumbfounded and sad that anyone would want to be a manager for Sinclair.  Sure, you need a job.   I get that, but to pretend KOMO is doing well is wishful thinking, IMHO.  I have seen some ratings shared by an insider, but it only signifies a lead in a dying race, so knock yourselves out, while the mass exodus continues.   I wonder who's next?    I am told that inside KOMO is a family.  Really?  It's pollyanna denial.   I watch as one of their reporters makes crime the lead single day, homeless crime stories to boot.  So much for holding the powerful accountable.   Just a comedy.   Keep mailing it in, guys.    And now, Yakima.  Another ...

Jade Elliott, who left Fox 13 Seattle weekends after a small cup a' coffee, has now resigned from her Apple Valley News gig.   Frankly, she has been a shortimer and common denominator in these job departures.  Talks a good game then vamooses.   Seems disgruntled.   More excapes than Houdini. Plus the markets in Central WA are total mess after Sinclair shutters KIMA in Yakima. More here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HDCfNy4xd

Kim Holcomb and Jim Dever, who teamed for years on KING's Evening lifestyle show and who now partner on a social media show, do some radio host subbing. "We Upper Lefters filled in on KIRO Newsradio and it was mildly unhinged and a whole lot of fun! 🎙️ If you’d like, you can watch here": https://www.youtube.com/live/MSRxCWTXrmg?si=Iqf1G1IMHayhPjW4

Word that the evil empire Sinclair has shut down KIMA with news to be provided in the future by its owned station in Pasco, KEPR.  KIMA has a 70-year legacy, I'm told.   This is a developing story, per FTVLIVE behind a paywall, so stay tuned.  This has happened in Tulsa as well and it all started there with the news director predecessor at KOMO who perhaps set the stage for the eventual demise of KTUL there and was maybe rewarded with the job at KOMO. This stuff creeps slowly toward Channel 4 here. Tick, tick, tick.

Here we go with the new anchor sked at KOMO at the end of  April. 330 Soliz and Koopmans (Kelly leaving mornings) 4 pm (Koopmans and Shen) 5 and 6  (Shen and Preston)  WNT with Muir at 530 gives Molly & Pres a chance to read into the 6. 10 pm or Arc (Soliz) 11 pm (Phillips) So, an opening on the morning show and Soliz assinged to early afternoon and the ARC.  As I said, he is not getting the Sinclair crown coming from KING.  

Mary Nam signed off for the final time on KOMO on the 31st, bringing her 23-year career to an end.  She's been honored here with several posts. It was a very nice video tribute, marred, in my opinion, by two appearances by News Director Mark Neerman, who joined KOMO 15 months ago and praises Mary like he's known her forever.  https://komonews.com/news/local/komo-news-anchor-mary-nam-last-day-final-broadcast-seattle-television-reporter-western-washington-23-year-tv-career-newscast-march-31-2026 Disingenuous  Now why would he do that?  Ego?  Covering for not wanting to renew her or offering a pay cut?   I don't know, but the cynic in me says, leave the good byes to the people who've known her over the decades, not some interloper who wants to back in her glory.  I have bid farewell to many anchors in my time as News Director, but I didn't need to be in the video goodbyes, or near the top and bottom of one.  IMHO.    I bet the troops d...