MEDIA MAVEN - Publishing media news & opinion (often with a critical eye) in the Pacific Northwest, covering Seattle, Spokane, Portland, Tri-Cities/Yakima and even a litte beyond. At times, even some sports. Posts occasionally @tvmavenseattle.bsky.social. I am a retired, longtime broadcast journalist and manager in multiple markets, ex-writing prof at UW and PLU in WA state, author of Season of the 76ers, Kent St. and American U alums, Pittsburgh native. Hit search/menu and follow!
Meteorologist Mike Everett is calling it quits at KING 5. He's chief met there with Rich Marriott the Senior Met. It will be interesting to see if they replace him with a full time hire, or go back to using freelancer Stephen Kilbreath. Story at the link.
Interesting move, as it seems like Mike has only been at KING for a few years. They do have a slew of subordinate meteorologists at KING (I think four others?). I’d like to see more Leah Pezzetti and Adam Claibon. Hopefully they don’t take the KIRO route and have junior MMJs filling in on weather.
ReplyDeleteWith Ed Muir freelancing at KIRO right now, I wonder if he might consider applying for the position?
Deletei don't think he wants to go back to fulltime TV, he has other things going.
DeleteThats understandable. It has been nice to see him back on TV again, but I don't blame him for not wanting to return to it full time.
DeleteYes, right now they have four, Rich, Adam, Leah and Ashley on weekends. I wonder if Rich may finally say it's time to retire. Remember they dumped Chris Nunley a while back, and Craig Herrera deserted for FOX Weather. Amity Addrisi, Kim Holcomb and Jim Dever have also left. Despite winning their 18 Emmys last weekend, there are serious departures at KING that date back to last summer. and beyond. Will Rebecca Stevenson return for some freelance. Something I also wonder about is when weather will be done by news anchors, just like we see on sports at KIRO and even a little at KOMO. All you need is AI to drum up some graphics and a weather producer team of say three lower cost people.
ReplyDeleteWith Mike's departure, Rich is pretty much the only senior meteorologist left at the station and perhaps the only one left in the Pacific Northwest media landscape. I am also thinking that Rich is also getting ready to hang up his weather charts and also retire, but KING management doesn't want to lose two on-air people (even if its weather) at once, so maybe until the new person settles in, Rich will stick around the summer season, if not until the start of the fall. TEGNA may draft someone from KGW Spokane to do some fill-in and get some Top 10 market experience, but my money is that Rebecca will take over Mike's position as she pretty much as completed the quadfecta here in Seattle (NWCN/KING 5, KIRO 7, FOX 13, KOMO 4) and she has the Chief Meteorologist chops. Maybe KIRO's recently departed weekend WX Frankie Katafias will also assume the job, but again, who knows? KING will go in-house and promote Leah to the Chief position is another possibility. Adam and Ashley are okay, but they still need polish and their presentations are somewhat stiff. Kilbreath may go to KIRO since they are in need of both weather and news (and sports?) folks and has that Theron Zahn versatility to do that, in addition to his auctioneering/volunteer work. Time will tell how this is all going to play out, but more importantly, how this summer is going to play out here in Seattle.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I meant to say "KREM" Spokane.
ReplyDeleteLeah does not meet the qualicfications for chief, IMHO. They can make RIch chief for a price for awhile. Frankie is a good play and that will shake Leah up, but Frankie just got married. so either she will opt for family or seek some bucks with the following she has. Rebecca my choice, too, but maybe she's had enough, per her KOMO desertion comments. AI weather creeps closer.
ReplyDeleteHe was fine, but no way any new talent makes an impression on ratings these days. Wonder what he’s going to do? Would guess TV is not in his plans.
ReplyDeleteJust saw his FB. Looks like he’s got ideas other than local news.
ReplyDeletePlease not Rebecca never have !Just her on any of the stations and I never liked Mike muted when he was on. Adam has been a Chief met at another station and I really like him he's been on longer then Mike or the girls. If Rich does leave I hope Adam takes over mornings
ReplyDeleteAside from Rich, isn't Adam the longest tenured meteorologist KING has on staff these days?
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ReplyDeleteI haven's searched his background. But this gives KING a chance to find someone with a bit more command presence than Adam, IMHO. I think who ever replaces Rich eventually should be the new chief. Nobody has big market experience but I don't know what Tegna is even paying these days for a met. Like I mentioned before, Rebecca is after comm jobs at non-TV companies, from what I have heard thru the grapevine.
ReplyDeleteYes Adam was on before Mike came never understood why Mike was Chief met
ReplyDeleteI think Chris Warren is overseas traveling right now, so not sure he is in or out of the running at the moment. I believe he would be the best hire in terms of weather and PNW cred.
ReplyDeleteMike posed all the time if that's what you mean by command presence
ReplyDeleteI like weather people who strongly sell the forecast, but I only caught a glimpse of him because I get my weather on the smart phone. Claire is a good example of pushing the weather (and herself). I would say Nick Allard is also great at selling his segment.
ReplyDeleteI saw Leah mention she was going to be doing a new west coast weather shown on KING starting Monday. I guess they think there’s an audience for more weather content.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Leah and KING recently launched a new monthly streaming (on KING 5 plus) show "The Sky Above", covering astronomy topics. Could this what be Leah was referring to? I have no doubt that a west coast focused weather show could find an audience, but it does seem odd to be launching two new shows with Leah prominently featured in both so close together like this.
DeleteAlso, could these new shows be some sort of compensation prize for Leah not getting the chief meteorologist title, assuming of course that she doesn't get it (she still could)?
Leah is building her brand, but an astronomy show? How does that affect anyone's daily life? Not interested but that's just me.
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