MediaMaven

Shannon O'Donnell, chief Met at KOMO Seattle, looks back 20 years ago at the link below with some pub and pics from Northwest Cable News, which launched in Dec. 1995 and lasted until Jan 2017.   Proud to have worked there for 11 years as News Director.    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Aypavx3th/

Some of you may remember Jim Castillo, former KCPQ and KOMO meteorologist.  He eventually moved back to his hometown area of St. Louis to forecast for Tegna's KSDK.   Now, he says he will start 2026 as a Chief Met at KSBY in San Luis Obispo, CA (Central Coast and owned by Scripps) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/working-at-5-on-your-side-an-honor-says-meteorologist-jim-castillo-as-he-prepares-to-sign-off/ar-AA1TaeMs?ocid=BingNewsSerp

  Will be interesting to see the impact on KING5 news viewership with so many NBA games starting at 5pm in the West with the gargantuan NBA /NBC deal.  KING is moving its newscasts to K5+, but viewers have to go to it directly, not just turn their sets on to the linear news.  Joyce Taylor does a halftime cut-in on the main channel, like KOMO has done with Michelle Esteban on ABC college football weekends.  But this is not just weekends, it is weeknight pre-emptions.   East coast NBC affiliates are not affected but here in our time zone, it's 5-730 murder, in my opinion.  It could drive viewers to the competition.  A ratings killer.

NATAS NW reminds that annual dues go from $70 to $100 on Jan. 1.  Hmmm, tell me what you get for the extra $30.  Oh, discounts on entry fees and chapter events, of course.    How generous and inflationary.  So, you spend a little less money to enter but have two more categories this year to spend on! I remember when winning an Emmy and judging them as a News Director meant more than a participation trophy.  

  Ah, it's that time to make predictions for the New Year in Seattle Media, so let's get started.  And, if you want to add your Nostradamus-like skills to forecast the future, please do. 1. I am 100% sure that Seattle's morning news crew of Jake Whittenberg, Mimi Jung, will host the 'New Year's at the Needle' festivities along with some coverage from Kelly Hanson of New Day NW and Chris Cashman of Evening.  My crystal ball also tells me KING5+ will have coverage starting at 11 on K5+ and the big show at 11:30 will also go out to Portland and Spokane and even San Diego thru the Tegna stations network.   Amazing! 2. As I turn over my Tarot cards, I foreshadow that Tegna, owners of KING, KGW and KREM in the PNW, will be taken over by Nexstar by mid-year, if not sooner, with job losses to follow. 3. T he stars auger that they will never ever align for KOMO's owner, Sinclair, as not even the forlorn Scripps group wants to hook up with them. 4. Sadly, a  black ca...

Everett Fitzhugh, Seattle Kraken radio play by play man, turns up on KING Monday night for a game against the Ducks.  John Forsland must be on holiday. I note that Alison Lukan is also missing from the KHN studio set. Twas the time before Christmas and at all of the stations, new faces on cam, covering vacations.

If you have been wondering what Rebecca Stevenson  is up to since her departure a year ago from the weather team at KOMO, she still watches the skies, forecasts online and sends pictorial greetings at this link below.  No word yet on a new landing spot. https://x.com/i/status/2001871706345083089 Her forecast from FB...thanks Rebecca! WIND GUST FORECAST *this afternoon and *WEDNESDAY Today, wind gusts around Puget Sound may be 30-35mph, coming from the south, but, the north Sound/Admiralty Inlet to San Juans/Salish Sea/Northern waterways...gusts will be stronger through the afternoon and early evening, up 40-45mph. PREPARE FOR STRONG WIND GUSTS WEDNESDAY: In the morning hours, the Cascade Foothills will have a gusty East wind- gusts in the foothills will range 35-45mph. The direction of wind will shift to southerly around Noon Wednesday for foothills to get some relief. Then the wind kicks in for the rest of us in western Washington. Wednesday afternoon/evening: Strongest wind...

Our friends at Ftvlive.com report that $1500 merit bonuses went out only to Tegna Stations that reached their 2025 revenue goals.  KING was not among them, nor KGW in PDX or KREM in Spokane. Hmmm.  That doesn't sound good for the PNW.   KHOU in Houston was the biggest market rewarded.  Even the Tegna flagship, KUSA in Denver, reportedly didn't make the grade.   The metrics for that award include:  Broadcast Share, Minutes Watched, Video Play, GTS (something about Gross Transactions) and Digital Revenue.  Better luck next year!   KOMO source said the staff received a 'GIFT,' but not sure if it was cash.  Have not hear from the others. No other info available.

Scott Jennings, who has found a place on CNN as a political analyst advocating for the President/GOP on various of its panel shows, will add a move to the Salem Radio Network here (KKOL AM 1300 The Answer in Seattle) starting on Jan. 5.  That station did not register any ratings during the Oct-Nov measurement period.   Not sure anyone in Seattle will hear his words!!! Here's more from Fox: CNN commentator Scott Jennings and Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow are set to take over Salem Radio Network's noon-3 p.m. ET time slot formerly held by slain conservative activist  Charlie Kirk  on Jan. 5, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

Fox 13 Seattle is leaving its broadcast nest on Westlake Ave in South Lake Union for a downtown, 16-story office tower called Axis 9 at 1800 9th Ave in the Denny Triangle.  Fox will be an anchor tenant and it's announcment says broadcasts there will begin next November.  It's a joint venture with Lake Washington Partners.   The Fox-owned station is making a strong run at the competition with this move when you consider the other owners in the market; Sinclair, Tegna and Cox/Apollo who are seeking buyers and consolidation.  Video announcment below: https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/fmc-cezn46tqzjocnayl

Just what we need, two more categories for the NATAS NW Emmy contest: Talk Show and Contact Shorts.   Does this mean New Day on KING and Studio 13 Live can enter??   I hope not.  Too many paid segments.  And I am trying to think if I have seen a 'content short' on any television show in the market.  Correct me if I'm wrong.  Is this like TikTok TV??   Crank up extra entry fees and dinner tickets!! Anyway, here's the NATAS explanations. Read if you dare: Categories We have two new categories: Content Shorts - category 55 Talk Show - category 49 Content Shorts #55 For excellence in short-form content created with a social-first strategy. While entries are not required to have been published on a specific platform (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X), the video content is designed for a social media audience. This content is served to viewers based on interests and follows rather than being consumed via scheduled time slots. ...

I offered my national TV Christmas ode earlier this month.  Now, here's one for Seattle TV.  Hope you enjoy a chuckle: Twas the Time Before Christmas  Push hard!   Feed the phones, Keep the content gods fed, Staff is picked to the bones. KOMO’s righty agenda hangs in the air Due to the Evil Empire known as Sinclair. On Mary, on Daniels, on Preston and Molly. That team keeps survivin' - by gosh, by golly! Short staffing at 7 not quite as acute, Will Cox sell it off or is that all moot? Horcher still scorches, Monique is unique, Allard’s great too, but sport’s up the creek 13 has Claire with always a twinkle The Live Desk debut was an unprepared wrinkle. On Wixey, on Aaron, on Hana and Brian But Mets reading newscasts still leaves me sighin’ And what about KING, where awards are important? If Nexstar buys, will its old rep go dormant? On Copeland, on Taylor, on Mimi and Marriott. No sleigh for Santa, just a legacy chariot 11 remains non-local each day Family Feud ...

I am including all four 'Meet the Team' pages from the Seattle TV station sites.  Is DEI truly dead?  Is it just the Seattle market?   What do you notice?  Take a close look.   Give me your conclusions and thughts!   Thanks. https://www.kiro7.com/station/about-us/kiro-7-newsteam/ https://komonews.com/station/people https://www.fox13seattle.com/team https://www.king5.com/meet-the-team

Decided to canvass the Seattle TV's when news was breaking about major flash flood threats because of the Green River levee break.    KING was on the air for the full hour extended with wall-to-wall coverage, anchored very strongly by Christine Pae on news and Ashley Ruiz on weather.   Interestingly, KING did not simulcast on KONG at 1, when it usually repeats the KING noon.   In fact, KONG ran back-to-back spots and promos until about 1:50 when it joined a 'Justice for The People' show in progress.     KOMO stayed with the General Hospital soap until 2 when anchor Molly Shen and George Waldenberger began breaking coverage.    KIRO, from what I observed, was live for about a half hour or thereabouts with Linzi Sheldon and Dee Dee Sun on the desk, when it eventualy joined a CBS soap in progress.  Fox 13 was simulcasting its Live Desk on both the mother ship and KJZO.   Hana Kim and Erin Mayofsky anchored for a per...

  Drew Carney, who has been an anchor/reporter for some 19 years at KGW Portland, is leaving the Tegna station for another one, KUSA in Denver, the Tegna flagship.  From our friends at ftvlive.com https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2025/12/11/toldja

As we reported about back in early October, and had previously speculated, Linda Cohn is not part of the Kraken Hockey Network this season.  Furness fully riding the Zamboni.   The Seattle Times and the website Awful Announcing finally caught up. https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/linda-cohn-kraken-hockey-network-ian-furness.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter  

A tip from a reader tonight indicates that Kristin Goodwillie, a KING 5 investigator, has quietly left the station.   Insider days she is now with the Red Cross here, joining a former Tegna employee.   With the departure of Taylor Mirfendereski and Susannah Frame promoted to News Director, it would leave only Chris Ingalls in the award-winning unit.  But, my source says the station is trying to hire a new investigator.  Regardless, it's n ot a good time to join Tegna at King with the Nexstar merger looming.

Just noticing Tuesday night that Sharon Woo of King 5 is being billed by the anchors as an 'Immigration' Reporter. That's a new one I've not seen.  Hmmm. Thoughts?

T' was the time before Christmas And all thru the stations Lots of new faces  To cover anchor vacations The bosses were gone and the newsroom was quiet... They pay us so little, we're all on a diet... They make us wear jackets  With company logos But DON'T ask for more money Raises are no-gos The laptops keep grinding, with much news to share.. It's already on phones, so viewers don't care  Some say that 'human' news writing's outdated... Cuz AI makes it all automated. Muir tops the Net news, But Llamas must try And Bari's in charge of the bloodshot EYE Paramount wants to buy it all up, Netflix hates their big 'interrupt.' And Trump, we know, surely likes Ellison Something the Netflix boys won't be relishin' The linear world keep on screaming Cuz the young folks only care about streaming. You Tube's a fave, no doubt about it. Despite its high price, go on and flout it. Meanwhile, CNN's failing, MSNow likely flailing, The FOXie...

Bryan Johnson, who worked for both KOMO radio and TV, and who covered some of the biggest stories in Seattle and Washington history, has passed away.   Mr. Johnson was 89.  KOMO anchor/reporter Mary Nam visited with him two years ago and filed this story about him and his legendary career.  A sad day for the KOMO family and his.   RIP, sir. https://komonews.com/features/komo-anniversary/bryan-johnson-reporter-newsgathering-journalism-wto-riots-mount-st-helens-eruption-radio-host-wah-mee-massacre-chinatown-international-district-seattle-western-washington?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOkMw1jbGNrA6Qy4WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHsIcf2ejx8d0CQEKnHQQi9vBnCGPiFz6LAiXjkW1f9PjfwjXjzeAkLHnh1KC_aem_rTilKf_D9c9J-d-wWgHxog

Nick Allard can go back to just doing morning weather at KIRO 7 instead of double duty in traffic as Paola Tristan Arruda joins as the new traffic anchor.  It's good to see another new hire at 7.   Meterologist Robert Van Winkle recently came here from Florida.  Perhaps the station has finally gotten the go ahead to address some of its recurring problems of short staffing. Ms. Arruda previously worked at WESH in Orlando/Daytona and WGAL in Lancaster, PA. https://www.facebook.com/share/1K5kg3cyL2/

  No credibility whatsover at Fox 13 Seattle.  Keep the fun off the platform linked to your employer, folks.  Grow up, people.   Foolish.  Watch it and weep.  Abby Acone can't help herself. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16m9We8U3E/

Lisa Kerney who anchored sports on  KING 5  in the  2010s , has left her gig at  FanDuel  for  NBC  and its new  Versant spinoff . She says she will be a studio host for  college basketball .  Lisa has also anchored for ESPN, WCBS-TV in New York and MLB-TV. Lisa is married to  Patrick Kerney , who played defensive end for the  Seahawks . More here: https://x.com/LisaKerney/status/1996930377030443430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1996930377030443430%7Ctwgr%5E925cd81f327a33c6127c215a34c14e6e6123d717%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fawfulannouncing.com%2Fcollege-basketball%2Flisa-kerney-announces-she-is-joining-nbc-versant-college-basketball-coverage.html

Seeing Fox 13 lowering the credibility bar again as TRAFFIC reporter Adam Gehrke co-anchors a newscast with WEATHER anchor Abby Acone.  No chops that I can see.  But I guess 13 likes to claim journalistic strength without having any, while replaying large segments every day.    Abby co-anchors weekend morning news on the Fox duopoly, but falls way short on the news side.   Not much of a newscast anyway.  Mostly mindless banter. Nothing personal here, just the product tossed out to viewers.

Tracy Taylor, ex-Seattle traffic reporter on KING TV,  KIRO TV and KIRO radio, has been elected Auburn's Deputy Mayor by the council on which she's been serving since January 2024. More here:  https://www.auburn-reporter.com/news/divided-council-picks-tracy-taylor-for-deputy-mayor/

KUOW forged back into first in the later PPMs from Oct-Nov results.   KIRO radio went over the side after sailing with the Mariners in the playoffs, dropping 4.2 share points into 4th place after tying for first the last rating period with a 9.1   The team was eliminated on Oct. 20 and this book STARTED Oct. 16.    There were games on the 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th, so after that, listening declined.   KIRO-FM dropped almost a share point while news competitor KNWN jumped into the top 10 with share growth amid the talent changes. Here are the numbers from Radio Online. https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb039

Former Seahawks QB Russell WIlson gets his first big TV gig this Sunday, when the NFL Today on CBS has him on as a special guest guru with JB, Cowher, Burleson and Ryan.  His current team, the NY Giants, is off this weekend because of playing TNF.   It may be a sign for his future if his on-field career is just about done.   Airs 9 A.M. Sunday on KIRO7.     More here: https://awfulannouncing.com/cbs/russell-wilson-guest-analyst.html

Cascade PBS in Seattle had windows during the PBS Newshour to ask for donations to offset federal funding cuts.  Hadn't seen that before; usually it is inserted into music shows and other programs.   Port in a storm?  BTW, Paris Jackson, ex KOMO-TV traffic anchor, is still on the scene at Cascade's TV Newsfeed show.

Tyrah Majors, KOMO traffic anchor and Arc Seattle (KUNS/CW) news/host makes the Forbes '30 UNDER 30' list.  She earned a Master's degree from USC and came to KOMO from the Bakersfield, CA market.   Her Facebook link announcement is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/17idsQxNMh/

On Thanksgiving Week, news anchor Jeff Gianola made good on his July promise to hang up his IFB after 40 combined years at KOIN 6, and before that, KATU in Portland.   His station and staff bid him a heartfelt farewell as he heads to retirement: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/general/jeff-gianola-s-final-farewell-on-koin-nov-26-2025/vi-AA1RrOWz?ocid=BingNewsSerp