MediaMaven

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...

Well, we can hope it's not a kiss of death, but the Times reports that the Seahawks will be featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks' this summer before the start of the season.    The team reportedly turned down the show in the early Pete Carroll era, but it's a new day out there.

As first reported here on March 11, KING has made an exclusive deal to air a set of M's games on free broadcast.  Here's part of the story from the Times beat guys.   'Amid the upheaval in local baseball broadcasts, the Mariners have reached an agreement with a local TV station to air 10 games for free this season. KING 5 will have exclusive rights for those select games, starting with the Mariners’ April 10 game vs. the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. Those broadcasts will be available for free to more than four million households in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii, the team announced Monday.' Here's more from K5 anchor Jake Whittenberg, including dates and an On Deck show. @KING5Seattle will be airing 10 Friday home games FOR FREE throughout the season. These games will also be streaming via Mariners TV. The new deal is a multi-year partnership and will include a new Wednesday show before every game on KING called 'On Deck'. Games in...

Matt Elias, former producer at KING in Seattle ia out.   KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA...this Cowles owned NBC affiliate is looking for a new news director to replace MATT ELIAS, (right) who left last month. Matt was there a little less than two years. 

  Well at least these two Fox 13 anchors didn't do a gay joke on this inane post. Maybe Abby has been counseled.  Oh ... Call me when these two juveniles grow up into adult broadcasters  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17fKCQTbo1/

The Seattle Times reports that native Dick Foley, lead singer of the nationally-known The Brothers Four and one-time host of Northwest Afternoon on KOMO, has passed away at 85.    The group's biggest hit was 'Greenfields.'  I remember it!

KIRO7 suddenly moving its long-running Noon News to 11 am and placing The Young and the Restless at noon. That gets the soap opera away from two female-oriented lifestyle shows (New Day and Studio 13 at 11) and uses The Price is Right as a strong news lead-in.  Y&R vs KING noon news is a good counter.   I guess the pic emphsizes which show is more important.   Thanks to a loyal reader for the tip on this story!

Reports out of New York say for ex-Seattle TV reporter Peter Alexander is leaving the Peacock behind because of being passed over anchor jobs.   He is married to a former DC news anchor, Alison Starling. He has the anchor look and has been a strong DC/White House reporter, but he was not going to be put ahead of Tom Llamas with his anchor expericnce at ABC.    Jose Diaz-Belart and Hallie Jackson (who replaced Kate Snow) got the weekend anchor nods ahead of him.    They had their own shows on the old MSNBC as well.   Meanwhile, word that he will have a midday show on MSNOW (the old MSNBC) and replace Ana Cabrera.     https://pagesix.com/2026/03/28/entertainment/peter-alexander-is-leaving-nbc-after-years-of-being-passed-over-for-top-anchor-jobs-source/

Picked this up on X from a reliable source posting:  Friday, April 10 will likely be KING's first Mariners free broadcast vs. the Astros.   That's all that's circulating for now re: possible K5 deal.

Ok I stand convicted of click bait. Dave Sims posted pics of his visit to Alcatraz while Yanks are in SFO. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18RWo6zgNg/   

Brock Huard of KIRO Radio's 'Brock and Salk' tandem will be on the mic again this spring for United Football League games airing the FOX networks.  He'll be on a telecast next weekend, the first weekend in May and then later for these semifinals.    The Puyallup native starred for UW and later played for the Seahawks and Colts 

Great piece in Seattle Met magazine revealing that analyst Angie Mentink suffered a stroke in the off season but fought her way back to the TV booth just in time for the first pitch, overcoming both physical and mental obstacles.   Major props to this pioneering lady.   Worth a read and thanks to a loyal reader who passed the story on to me. https://share.google/0MUXAYxQF7qfZXIir

Grant McOmie, longtime outdoors journalist and personality at both KGW and KATU in Portland, has died at 73 after a brief illness. His grants Getaways were legendary features. NWCN also aired them back in the day.  He knew Oregon, for sure.

Your beloved Mariners have left fans scrambling to find TV games just before opening night. Never believe the team cares about fans. Never.  They hide pricing and Information until the last minute.  Now Apple buys a game and NBC has Sunday.   Fans are marks for this team.  The Mariners specialize on lip service to sell overpriced tickets and concessions. Listen to radio.  I won't watch for a second year in a row.  Boring.  

This time, KING lead anchor Joyce Taylor was live on Opening Day on the field sporting the logos.    Thankfully, Paul Silvi, reporter Sebastian Robertson and reporter Bridget Chavez did NOT don such apparel.   KIRO is in basketball coverage so their anchors were soared from more of yesterday's embarrassing boosterism.

  Per Wednesday's news that Mariners games would be available on channel 1261 for Xfinity/Comcast customers, I check out the channel at 3pm on Opening Day and find out I have to subscribe!!  No mention of a sub price was mentioned in any posts yesterday in the Times or from the Mariners.  It's Root Sports in camouflage.  I understand how it works and that there is streaming, but this 'subscription' for cable customers was hidden until the last minute, IMHO.  Am I wrong?  Was this made clear? So I call Xfinity and they now tell me it would be $37 bucks in installment payments to get MLB Extra Innings.  That would be a hard no.    Later I hear Extra Innings isn't correct.   So, I'm in the dark and didn't see the game.   Good!    Meanwhile, the Mariners will be on national TV 40 times this season, according to baseball beat writer Ryan Divish.   

KOMO's Mary Nam anchors her last newscast on March 31. Then she's off with her family to South Korea for a visit.   You can find more in this profile at the Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/komo-news-anchor-mary-nam-leaving-after-23-years/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQyWXhjbGNrBDJZcGZkaWQWUDp6AzdNnklXtPWKccIrJYw8KVFaymV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHgwLNRZpRO7ycmMyoM8r-AuumYHp4slpNPKx3cej0MQei0EGslQfnP4jbYnu_aem_J17b3aiFeFMSlO4Og-cn7A

Program note: With NBC offering baseball coverage today with a a game at 5 pm PT, KING has added an hour long Mariners season preview at 4, directly opposite the Kraken game on KONG and the NCAA regional semis on KIRO.  

Thanks to a loyal reader, here is additional viewing info for Mariners baseball:

Still no word on if or when KING will be broadcasting a handful of games this season.   But, now, according to Adam Jude of the Times, viewers who have Comcast/Xfinity can watch on channel 1261.  Charter/Spectrum subs on Channel 414. MLB will produce those games.  There is already a streaming deal and price in place. BTW the Sunday game of the opening series is on NBC with Ryan Rowland-Smith on analysis.

  KUOW-FM longtime morning news anchor Angela King gets the prestigious Charles Odegarrd Award from the UW.  So well-deserved for her work in the community, her long stint on TV and radio in Seattle (she even anchored for me at NWCN and did its final newscast in Jan 2017) and devotion to her family.    Watch her heartfelt speech here.  Her portion begins at 3:10 in: Congrats Ange!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nBporwZ8b3g&pp=iggCQAE%3D&fbclid=IwVERDUAQxHihmZGlkFlA5po7Xmk7MOoQngbKTFTielTQ19WFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5nSUO-A0Zl9UenyzeYVkb9NrUqyF-MPU2kmozwf27u1mASyXhEbJyfbeoP3w_aem_K-QJQqsEAhXEFJR56KNnog

Oh, the irony as the two giddy KIRO morning news anchors wear Sonics apparel waiting for the NBA presser.  And a pentabox with Horcher (far right) wearing some, too, not to mention Chapman (lower left).  Brandon  Thompson (lower right) apparently didn't get the memo.  Of course KIRO sent no one to cover the New York event. But boosterism overkill prevails.  Credibility takes another hit.  Kudos to KING for playing it straight on set with Two, count em TWO sports anchors.  Fox 13 did not break in for the presser, staying with a game show on the flagship, while shifting coverage to its duopoly station Meanwhile the competition got to see KOMO reporter Chris Daniels introduce himself and ask a question of the Commish.

  Seems like once the Seahawks Super Bowl season ended and the parade passed by, sports radio listening took a sizeable dip, with little to pick up that heavy slack.  KIRO 710 dropped 1.3 share points to the bottom of the top 10 with a 3.8 down from a 5.1.  KJR FM and AM both lost a half share point and FM even finished behind Seattle Public Schools KNHC.   Really?    No change at #1. Feb numbers here: https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb039

Just a snapshot, but Chris Daniels, who I have admittedly criticized here before, nailed the substance behind the Holloway umbrella deal for Climate Pledge Monday (paving the way for Sonics) and the Ferguson presser about Gov's talks with Adam Silver.   KING could only muster rookie Sebastian Robertson (Drew Mikkelsen must have had the day off), Portland transplant Brandon Thompson at KIRO (well they have no sports, anyway) and Fox 13 (I missed WA Sports Wrap), from which I could not determine who covered.    Must be spring break.  

Talented Chief Photog Matt Mrozinski bids farewell after his postion was eliminated at KING 5.  Looks like it actually happened in late February even before the Nexstar takeover.   He apparently declined staying on at a lesser photo position.    Writing was on the wall.  Another blogger called it collateral damage.    Here is his message about the departure: "My position as Director of Photojournalism at KING 5 was eliminated. I’m not posting this for sympathy — truly. Think of it more as a press release. I stay humble, but I know there are many people who have supported me here, followed my career, trusted me to help shape theirs, and poured their hearts into the work alongside me. If your first question is how I’m doing — I’m good. I had hoped for a better farewell, of course. These moments always bring mixed emotions and reflection, as anyone who’s experienced them knows. Ultimately, deep down I've known it was time for countless reasons, but I...

Because KIRO 7 has no sports department, main nees anchor Gary Horcher gets the call to co-host Game Day Live after the CBS games sign off for the night.  Even gets to interview a Gonzaga player (Jason Rubright) from '95 to make it current!    Wow.  Never heard of him, but OK.  Not exactly a household name analyst. Talk about a weak try to pretend the station knows anything about sports or the tournament as the Zags choke to an 11th play-in seed.  Sad all the way around. Gary helped during the Super Bowl, but this was minor league.  Hire a freelancer who knows the game.  They are out there, Cox.

  Word that Friday was the last day for Fox 13 Good Day Seattle Executive Producer Adrian Garcia.   Word is he's headed to NBC Boston.  He's been with the station since 2020 and EP since 2024, according to Linkedin, so not quite two years in the post.   

The network announced that CBS Radio will be shut down in May after 100 years.   Mr..Murrow is rolling over in his grave multiple times today.  Here's the on- air reaction at 97.3 KIRO mornings with Charlie Harger, Chris Sullivan and Manda Factor.   Not a pretty sight, today, for an industry in peril.    https://x.com/i/status/2035061518577143844

From Mariners beat reporter Ryan Divish of the Times  "I've been told that if you watched games on ROOT via a cable provider last year, you will be able to watch them again this year. The exact channel isn't known yet.  I've also been told that MLB and the cable companies might not announce the programming package/channel till the morning of opening day.  Why? Cause they know it doesn't matter, you'll still pay and watch." Still waiting for an announcement from KING on a small broadcast schedule, but the Nexstar purchase deal was just approved. 

KING, KGW, KREM and Tegna staff nationwide (WFAA, Dallas, KUSA, Denver, WXIA, Atlanta), among others, sadly know what's next.     Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Closes Acquisition of TEGNA Inc. March 19, 2026 Company Receives Approval of Transaction from Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Justice  IRVING, TX (Mar. 19, 2026)—Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST), today announced that it has closed its acquisition of TEGNA Inc. following approval of the transaction from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Nexstar’s Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Perry Sook commented: “This transaction is essential to sustaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve. By bringing these two outstanding companies together, Nexstar will be a stronger, more dynamic enterprise—better positioned to deliver exceptional journalism and local programming with enh...

  KIRO Radio host John Curley gives Eric Johnson a chance to defend his almost decade-old 'Seattle is Dying' KOMO documentary, which was heavily motivated by Sinclair and its well-known biased agenda to tear down cities.  Yet, after pillaging the city, Johnson was later honored by Seafair as the KING Neptune.  I  guess Seafair didn't die?  Hmmmm.   His follow up doc was even worse journalism. Here's the interview.   Thanks for nothing, John Curley.   Johnson's allegations here are unproven except to him.   Curley bought them like a cheap hair restoration. https://x.com/i/status/2034735273473712556

Obtained this email from a friend of a friend from Fox 13 Seattle, a message sent to some staff declaring that the titles of Mariners front office execs are too fancy and meaningless anyway, so they can be shortened for on-air.    Right, we wouldn't want the viewers to know what the interviewee's job is while they speak, would we?W Wondering if that was sent out by the the 'Executive Supervisor for Primetime Digital, Social, Linear and Replay Content'??  Or a less fancy, shorter title, perhaps??   

Ana Cabrera, a WSU grad and former anchor at KHQ-TV in Spokane and later at CNN, has been cut from her daytime anchor position at MSNOW.    Her departure is connected to major program and schedule changes announced for June at the cable network.   Here are her comments. “Throughout my career, I've always sought the best opportunities to do this work and have the greatest impact while staying true to myself and my mission as a journalist. “That's what I've always done and what I will continue to do now, understand I am truly grateful for my time at MS NOW for my wonderful colleagues, my amazing team that works so hard every day, and for you, the viewers who put your trust in me to serve you through this most meaningful work.” Link to the full story: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/msnow-morning-joe-lineup-changes-b2941218.html

Jeff Renner former KING5 Chief Meteorologist has been named this year's solo inductee to the NATAS NW Gold Circle for 50 years in the biz. https://x.com/i/status/2033959169586319370 Silver Circle honors to these broadcasters:     Andy Carson – Portland – KPTV     Steve Denari – Portland – KATU     Mimi Gan – Seattle – KING     Robyn Nance – Spokane – KXLY     Don Nelson – Boise – KIVI     Liz Rocca – Seattle – Previously with KOMO     Tracy Sabo – Anchorage – KTUU/KYES 

Lee Stoll, former weekend morning news anchor at KOMO, has landed in a new business after a short stint at Amazon.  Here's her post: "Hi friends! Thanks for sticking with me all these years. I wanted to let you know I have a new job that will fulfill a lifelong dream! I'm so excited to announce that I have joined Windermere Real Estate as a broker. Like journalism, real estate has always carried a real sense of community service for me. As a military kid, I watched my mom transform more than 17-houses into homes. Now it's my turn to help others do the same! Websites and socials are "under construction" (like changing the name of this page to BROKER!) but you can always find me at lee.stoll@windermere.com." Hearing that ex KOMO sports director Mike Ferreri is doing well in the broker biz, also with Windermere.

What would the media landscape look like if and when the Sonics return on a couple of years?  QUESTIONS. Would KING sacrifice the Kraken to put the Sonics on KING and KONG?  Yes, but not exactly.   Hockey could go on the K5 streaming app, with.Sonics on broadcast, both stations, especially with NBC/NBA deal?  But might Fox 13 go hockey on the duopoly if it comes open?   Actually, I would expect a KING/Sonics partnership.   Bring Kevin Calabro back for TV play by play with Gary Payton or Detlef as analysts.   I could also put Detlef on pre-game and weekly studio shows possibly with Kemp.   George Karl on Zoom if he's well?  97.3 vs KJR for radio.   KIRO has the history with simulcasts.  But who does PxP?  Can't waste Calabro on radio.   Looking for your thoughts.  Everything could be different in two years on all platforms.  So what's in your crystal ball?

  KING weekend evening anchor Madison Wade seems to be favoring hair over strong eye contact.  Guess no one is coaching her on look and presentation

I guess KING 5 viewers really crave the two morning anchors exercising.  It makes such a difference for us knowing the latest news.  At least it's on their own post, but didn't know that was their job, to help us with fitness.  I couldn't see Enerson and Bounds doing this, can you? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DExbmwrRrYF/?igsh=MWRpY2xnc3RkazFybg==

Looks like Fox 13 Seattle weekend morning anchor Taylor Winkel has joined her co-anchor Abby Acone for these bizarre posts done in the station studio.     What's the purpose? Where's the maturity and credibility?   The limp-wrist stuff is offensive to just about everyone, yes?  It's not funny. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVowliOEoj2/?igsh=ZWk3bWdwMmFobDU=

  Sources tell me that KING 5 is close to announcing a 12-15 game package of Mariners games on free TV.  Stay tuned for final confirmation near Opening Day.  Book it. You heard it here first.r Meanwhile, Apple TV has two Mariners national games in first half of season, first vs Houston in late March, and later vs Buccos.

This is a curious move brought to my attention by some colleagues:  The Tegna news director in St. Louis (KSDK), who was just hired about 6 months ago, has been transferred to the Tegna station in Houston (KHOU).  Interestingly,, Nexstar own KTVI in St. Louis, but owns nothing in Houston.   So does that mean only the Nexstar ND would be running two newsrooms there, post-FCC approval and consolidation, with TEGNA now rescuing the St. Louis guy?   Same could happen in Portland with KOIN and KGW.  This move may portend the future is very near. By the way, RIch Kurz is the current ND at KOIN in PDX but used to be a manager at KGW, producing its Straight Talk program for years.  Who says you can never go home again?

Stephanie Domurat is leaving her anchor post at KGW in Portland, another escape from Tegna.  She previously worked at KPTV there.  No word on exactly what's next. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephaniedomurat_its-time-to-announce-some-bittersweet-news-share-7433555133298425856-1akV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAFWTKaUBTwc4NGLVz4TARZHYT8qQaNhaM2E

Tegna has a producer-in-residence program where it recruits talented college students to be mentored inside its stations.   One such person is Kimberly Blum, who is a graduate of the program at KING and will be returning there after leaving the U of Florida/WUFT. That's a huge jump for sure, but I know the program, invented and run by former KREM News Director Noah Cooper, is a success and keeps the difficult producer developmental and hiring pipeline open.     Post and pic: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimberly-blum_plot-twist-im-sticking-around-im-incredibly-share-7436772008698310656-mw3L?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAFWTKaUBTwc4NGLVz4TARZHYT8qQaNhaM2E