Anchor Mary Nam announced Wednesday that she is leaving KOMO at the end of the month after two decades to pursue a new chapter. Mary, a WSU grad and Emmy winner, anchors the 4&6 and has also been teaming with KOMO's Kelly Koopmans on a 'Hard Turn' podcast. Sources are telling me that KOMO leads the market in ratings in afternoon-evening, so this will be a bit of a blow to the status quo. It will rattle the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. But she was not pushed out, says my source, her call.
“2026 is the right time for me to take the leap,” she shared in an email to colleagues. “Beyond that, I'm not sure what is next but given how long it's taken me to tiptoe to this ledge, falling into the next chapter will be the easy part. (Metaphor over. Don't ask me about the landing)” she added. “I look forward to squeezing in as much conversation, laughter, and the good stuff during this month,”
https://komonews.com/news/local/komo-tv-anchor-mary-nam-to-leave-station-at-end-of-month-after-23-years-news-last-day-march-31-hard-turn-podcast-host-journalism

Always a pleasure to watch Mary. Best of luck to her.
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned! I did not expect Mary to leave KOMO anytime soon. She has been there for many years, but it seemed she would be on our screens for many more. I wish Mary the best of luck on her future endeavors. She will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteWonder if she is going fully into the podcast world or PR, not sure any positions available at any other Seattle station.
ReplyDeleteis a surprise, and an insider said she was not pushed. The TV landscape is volatile. I wonder if Brian Calvert at KNWN might come calling another former colleague, as he did with Denise Whitaker and Scott Carty. KOMO losses in recent years: Eric Johnson left, Whitaker left, Stoll left, Knowles left, Stevenson left and, sadly, Steve Pool passed away. Plus reporters like Mo Haider, Ryan Simms and Paul Rivera left the station
ReplyDeleteas well.
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How much of all the defections are a result of Sinclair ownership?
ReplyDeleteOne would have to conclude 'The Sinclair Effect' is at work here. Too much churn in too short a time period at one station.
DeleteNo different from KING, as it has been a revolving door lately as well.
ReplyDeleteNot at the level of KOMO. Disagree.
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