Is there a 'Sinclair Effect' at KOMO

KOMO losses since main anchor Eric Johnson retired in June 2024: Denise Whitaker left, Chris Nguyen left, Lee Stoll left, Hannah Knowles left, Rebecca Stevenson left and now Mary Nam says goodbye at the end of March. Reporters like Mo Haider, Ryan Simms and Paul Rivera also departed. I may be missing a few.

I don't know the specific reasons behind the individual decisions (good or bad, personal or professional), but I don't see 10 comparable talent departures anywhere else in the Seattle market. Add in the KOMO News Director and News Operations Manager, who both retired in December 2024, and you have an even dozen. The photog union isn't happy either these days. BTW, previous and current ND worked previously for Sinclair,in Tulsa and Vegas, respectively. True believers. So, is it the political leanings?

Makes you wonder.

Now, in fairness, I must make mention of budget-cutting Cox in Seattle. Jesse Jones axed, Chris Francis and the entire sports dept. canned, anchor Aaron Wright exited to local radio, Managing Editor Rick Boone gets booted after four months. Photog union problems persist. Perhaps a 'Cox Effect' exists as well?

Thoughts?

Comments

Rebecca Stevenson has left KOMO

"I am no longer at Komo 4." Thanks. Longtime Weather Anchor Rebecca Stevenson confirms that she left the station just before Christmas. Her last Facebook posts are 12/17. She has the Seattle station Quintafecta, having worked at the old NWCN, KING, KIRO, KCPQ and KOMO. Looks like her decision. Wants a new chapter. She was doing mainly weekend evenings for KOMO. Perhaps Stella Sun will move there. She has been sharing weekend mornings with Theron Zahn.

Where is Frankie?

Many have missed KIRO 7's weekend PM weather anchor, Frankie Katafias, so I reached out to some of my sources to find an answer. She is apparently taking a few months of leave, but not known specifically what the reason may be. Although there is uncertainty, it could be a personal or family matter. I am told she is expected back at some point in the new year. She is a great asset to what has become a troubled station. Meanwhile former KOIN Portland chief met holds down the fort.

Seattle TV Weekender Ends Her Run

So long to KOMO's longtime weekend morning anchor Lee Stoll who did her final show Saturday. She previously worked at KIRO7 and KREM2 in Spokane and did a little fill-in for me at the old NWCN. She's a Northwestern U grad. Weekend weather sidekick Theron Zahn will likely step right into anchor slot. Newcomer Stella Sun may also be in the mix. Zahn bid Lee a final goodbye this morning. She is not revealing what is next, saying "That's for later." Also, next month Komo News Operations boss Dennis Hanson and longtime Production Tech Rena Mullen are retiring. There's a big Studio C station bash for them and retiring ND Phil Bruce on December 5th.

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