MediaMaven

  It's probably not a fair fight to put King 5's Fifth Quarter vs Fox 13's Seattle Sports Live Sports on Sunday nights.  King's show comes on about 20 minutes after NBC Sunday Night Football, but without knowing ratings, not sure how much lead-in it holds --  likely plenty enough though.  Combined with the longtime sports guru and host Paul Silvi and Hawks HOFer Walter Jones, paying ex-Hawks hero and radio voice Steve Raible joining in, doing the show live on tape from Lumen right after the game, and the station's partnership with the team which provides live player guests, they kinda have it all.   I think Jones, while a great player, is not a very good analyst, relying on cliches and the obvious.  They should hire Matt Hasselbeck.  He's much more insightful and current.  Show needs a more astute talent upgrade.  Allyssa Smith-Charlston hosts for 13, but seems to me Aaron Levine should host because he is more equal to Paul in longevity ...

No official word yet, but putting some clues together, we are hearing that KING 5, embroiled, of course, in a possible takeover, are apparently promoting from within rather than hiring an outsider. for the vacant News Director job.  The scoop?  Chief Investigative Reporter and Head of Journalist Development Susannah Frame.   Let's see what happens.   Could be coming soon! By the way, former ND, Julie Wolfe, who got promoted to Regional VP, posted a job link advising that "NO JERKS NEED APPLY."  Looks like she got the right one.   Susannah is a teriffic news person and is totally top notch!     Could be coming soon!   Let's wait and see.

  97.3 morning co-host and former ND Charlie Harger provided a snapshot. What a great night. A bunch of us @KIRONewsradio and @nwnewsradio (KOMO) alums got together at a neutral location: Sue Romero, Corwin Haeck, Carleen Johnson, Marina Rockinger, Jon Repp, (me), and the late-arriving Scott Carty. So proud to call them colleagues and friends

  Is KIRO's Eric Thomas back as permanent weekend evening anchor?   Last week it was Jason Sloss, but after a maternity leave stint filling in for DeeDee Sun on mornings, Thomas is back on the big desk.   I think this has a lot to do with fall football being. in high gear on weekends and his previous sports anchoring expertise. Any KIRO insiders have any details? Meanwhile KIRO keeps pumping up the new Waterfront partnership with their two lead news anchors Saturday night.  Partnership????      And they threw in paid for Steals and Deals from corporate earlier in the show.    Journalism be damned!!! 

  Lauren Helmbrecht has joined Fox 13 in Seattle, forsaking her coverage of the Packers for the Seahawks, Huskies, et al.    This ties the station with KING by having three on-air sports people, plus they have used a Seattle radio sports producer at times on Washington Sports Wrap.   When you consider KIRO has no sports and KOMO only has one guy, this is a real plus for 13.    Here's more: https://x.com/lmhelmbrecht/status/1963044714531180869?t=aUV_lL3zJ8qvodLf23na-Q&s=09

  KOMO still has not posted head shots or bios of its brand new weekend morning anchor and two reporters, one of whom has been on staff for a good while and the other several months already.   One insider told me when that new weekend anchor Natalie Fahmy arrived in August, the page would likely be updated.   On the other hand, the picture of a female anchor who left July 30th remains up.  And, also a Sinclair national correspondent is on the page (probably a corporate must!).   I don't understand why this not updated to accurately reflect staff and help viewers learn a little more about their favorite reporters/personalities.    Is is because it costs too much to hire a professional photographer?  Is there no one in Creative Services who can't take photos using the studio lighting?  Is the digital team overworked and can't get to it?    Or does KOMO believe the page is not imprtant enough to keep current and fresh an...

I was intigued by how many local promos KING5 aired during the pre-game show from NBC and then from 5-5:20 before kickoff of the season opening game.  Several sports promos on Silvi and Egan (both 60 seconds), which, of course, makes sense, and several for the morning team including traffic anchor Shante Sumpter and also evening anchor Jessica Jenner-Castro.   Question:  They couldn't sell any spots on such a big stage???    Was this a station decision as a promtional opportunity.   To be fair, just before kickoff, the commericals came fast and furious.   I guess ad buyes want their spots in non dvr-able live action, not tired pre-game hype and banter, which is easy to skip.

SWX, owned by Cowles/KHQ in Spokane has forged a stronger and streamier partnership with Eastern Washington University sports.   Here's more: As part of the new agreement, SWX, which provides local sports coverage throughout the Inland Northwest and Montana, will produce more than 40 athletic contests per year across five sports for distribution through ESPN+ and linear broadcast. “Our SWX production team has a long history of producing football and basketball events for Eastern Washington and we are excited to expand into women’s volleyball and women’s soccer beginning this fall,” said J.B. Ozuna, SWX senior director of sports.

Longtime KATU anchor Steve Dunn is calling it quits at the station in December.  KATU is owned by Sinclair.   Despite that, I'm sure his work has been well 'done.'     More att the link below and at ftvlive.com https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JHpHWiCqi/

Three solid minutes of Leah Pezzetti's first three years at KING 5.   Includes the great Cinnabon debate (wait for it).     Courtesy: Leah    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOHRTGkEr65/?igsh=cjI0cGExMXZlamly

She's baaaack.  DeeDee Sun back at the KIRO morning anchor desk with Linzi Sheldon after being on maternity leave. Eric Thomas filled in.