In case you have failed to keep track, here are the six people filling in on weather for KIRO. They only have two full timers, Nick Allard and Morgan Palmer, so after that, it's freelance pot luck.
Scott Haveson, former met who worked in Seattle TV, now a real estate agent for Windermere
Stephen Kilbreath freelance weather and auctioneer, has hit NWCN, KING, FOX 13 and now 7.
Ed Muir, ex of NWCN and Boeing, now working in a Comms position
Madeline Otillie, news reporter
Ranji Sinah, news reporter
Brandon Thompson, news reporter
Looks like Cox/Apollo will limp along like this for the rest of the summer, and it appears there is no permanent fix in sight. There are currently two PART-TIME weather postions advertised on the stattion's web site, but a meteorology credential is only PREFERRED, not REQUIRED. The wage scale for this position is $35.00 per hour to $55.00 per hour.
And at the same time, KING is adding Parella Lewis as its 5th full-timer,
Who's next?
KIRO website says part-time weather starts at $30/hour. Dick’s Drive-In website says they start at $22-26/hour. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI took a second look, thanks, and it says $35-$55 as a range.
ReplyDeleteWith a $35 to $55 per hour pay range, one would think that KIRO would have no trouble attracting talent to fill these jobs. Even in this expensive market, that is a living wage.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. Thanks Wayne.
DeleteBut who are the candidates?? Haveson makes more money in real estate, Muir also has a job, Kilbreath has his own auction biz. And you work weekends and subject to absences and vacations and call-outs. This may be very tough to fill. Are people moving here for this? Nah. Who's in town to do this but Kilbreath? We shall see.
DeleteTo me, this does feel like a job that someone might move here for, especially if they are coming from a smaller market and are looking to get into a top 20 market. That being said, KIRO's reputation in the TV news industry isn't what it used to be, and there are better stations for such talent to look at, including both KOMO and KING.
DeleteThey can get away with it during the summer, but not in the fall and beyond.
DeleteWithout an actual full time weekend meteorologist, I wonder how they are determining when to declare a “pinpoint weather alert” or “weather warn day”.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Nick and Morgan have written up some guidance that the freelancers and reporters can turn to for assistance with this? Either that or calling up a meteorologist at one of KIRO's sister stations for help?
DeleteWeather Warns are more tied to rising or lower temps, winds, floods, etc., usually from NOAA. There may be boundaries set up by the full time guys, but I think it is computer driven.
DeleteThey call it PINPOINT because that is the franchise name for weather, no matter if it is bad or good weather. First Alert or Pinpoint, etc., mean nothing. Slogans, of sorts.
DeletePretty sure the weather person has little to do with declaring it a “Pinpoint Alert” or whatever nonsense it is. Promotions writer and a producer who’s lived in the area for about 6 weeks make that determination!
ReplyDeleteSo the decision may lie with the weekend news producer or, if KIRO has one, the weekend Weather producer?
DeleteI assume the promotions writers don't typically work on the weekend?
DeleteNo, no....the news director, Laura Evans will do the hiring. Producers have no say at all, except to say, OK!
ReplyDeleteNo weather producers per se. The freelancers know or are trained to convert the forecast to computer movies, as they are called. They use the clicker in their hands to move from one to the other. The main weather anchors do everything themselves.
ReplyDeleteSteven's a very good radio and TV talent!! Great name recognition. A really good guy as well!
ReplyDeleteI think someone brought this up before, so I will second it, KIRO should hire Mark Felt or whoever they are.
ReplyDeleteHe could do the weather in shadow, from down in the KIRO parking garage. Most forecasters around here would do well to remain anonymous.
DeleteIf KIRO follows the money, they would. I was there in DC in when Watergate broke out, or better yet, "break in".
DeleteI agree. KIRO should bring Mark on in some capacity. Assuming Mark wants the job, of course.
DeleteI've been reading this blog for a month now, but never really commented on anything. I am going to also jump on the bandwagon here with my fellow commentators and say yes, KIRO should give this Mark guy a chance.
DeleteYou haven’t experienced the weather until you’ve Felt it!
ReplyDeleteHire Felt!
ReplyDeleteYou could do promotional station foul weather gear — Felt Hats! Remember this: great promotional strategies can bring TV back!!!!
ReplyDeleteHas KIRO reached out to this Felt person? I would be if I was the news director. Assuming they exist, but they sound like a whipper snapper from reading their comment. Who are they, Wayne?
ReplyDeleteBefore I say anything, I've been gone on vacation and don't know whether to be thankful or floored from all of these comments considering this is first and foremost your blog, Wayne. It did surprise me coming back after being off the grid how this post has received so many comments and being name dropped like this. First thought that comes to mind beings back those childhood memories that I've been summoned to the principal's office. In any event, I like to point out that yes, I am a real person and no, KIRO has not reached out to me (and they probably never will unless they really want me). I am not going to reveal my real identity for privacy reasons and have told this to Wayne, so that's that. If anyone is wanting my own two cents on this whole "who's doing weekend weather at KIRO this time around" debacle, I can only speculate that there are not many hands left KIRO can draft. I was laughing before I left on vacation that the next person will perhaps be someone who is in an off-air or behind-the-scenes capacity like an assignment editor or even a newscast producer (assuming KIRO has one given that their manager Steve Konen retired awhile back and their nightside guy, Ed Carlos is now at FOX13). How about we get the Chief Engineer while we're at it? I am more of a news-type guy, but if KIRO really wants someone who has a meteorology credential, they can get Todd Johnson (who was KOMO's morning weather guy for a decade and also filled in on KIRO). For the time being, Kilbreath is a good option and so is Ed Muir. The TV news fraternity is a small one, and would be humbled to join if the opportunity arises in the form of a phone call, I can only wish Laura and everyone who is still there the best. They really need it as I am sure the person who has to keep putting back the nuts and bolts of this never-ending revolving door could use a break. Hey, that's an idea, hire the doorman! Thanks again, everyone and hopefully these comments haven't upset you, Wayne as I know you would love to go back to your regularly-scheduling programming already in progress. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteKIRO should hire you Felt! No matter who you are, you would be a great asset to any station. They should snatch you right up. I am all in for you!
ReplyDeleteThis "Mark Felt" person sounds like someone who should be on the air. This is such a mystery who this person is. I know you can't reveal the identity of your readers or sources, Wayne, but they have interesting insight and a certain wit. What say you as a former news director?
ReplyDeleteCan only judge by what I see on a resume tape or link? No judgments of my readers. I would only add....it is just a handle from a good observer of the media.
ReplyDelete