MEDIA MAVEN - Publishing media news and opinion (with some sarcasm and humor) in the Pacific Northwest, covering Seattle TV talent and programming & even a litte beyond. Maybe even some sports. Retired longtime broadcast journalist and manager in multiple top markets, ex-writing prof at UW and PLU in WA St., wrote Season of the 76ers (2002) and a new horror novel, Blood Stained Papers. Kent State and American U Masters alum, Pittsburgh native. Copyright 2025-26 All Rights Reserved
Just want to direct your attention to our friends at ftvlive.com for two posts about the Spokane wildfires. One from an anchor/reporter who wants prayers and another blasting the coverage by KXLY. Fwiw
https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2026/8/3/let-us-pray
https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2026/8/3/where-is-your-coverage
FTVLive has called out at least one meterologist for praying on the air during severe weather coverage in recent weeks. I don't know why there is suddenly a trend of local television talent calling for prayers and/or praying live on air, but its one that could alienate viewers who aren't religious or who do not share the same religion as the presenters in question.
ReplyDeleteIt comes after all of the 'thoughts and prayers' cliches thrown around on TV and elected officials, IMHO. Not in any way in favor of it.
DeleteI'm not particularly in favor of it either when it comes to traditional local and national newscasts. It would be more appropriate on newscasts that are presented by religious institutions, such as the Christian Broadcasting Network's CBN News.
DeleteAs for KXLY, I'm surprised to hear about a lack of Spokane wildfire coverage from them considering that they now produce more local news than the other stations in town with their KXLY+ streaming channel and their recent takeover of the Fox 28 morning and 10pm newscasts.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Hope Melissa Luck, their ND, didn't see FTV's posting on that......I BTW consider KXLY my go to in Spokane for news coverage. Not sure about KREM these days and I have never been a fan of KHQ
DeleteI was a KREM fan for many years, courtesy of their reports airing regularly on NWCN. These days, I find myself gravitating towards KXLY for Spokane news as KREM has gone downhill. Like you, I've never been a big fan of KHQ.
DeleteI noticed this evening that the top story on KXLY's website had nothing to do with Spokane's ongoing wildfire crisis. Instead, it was about an algae bloom in a local lake. While that is a story worth covering, and KXLY's website has plenty of wildfire coverage on it, it is another knock against KXLY's coverage of this historic and devastating event.
DeleteKHQ's homepage is almost entirely devoted to wildfire coverage right now, and KREM's homepage has quite a bit of coverage as well.
Very strange. Not what viewers would seek or anticipate this early, especially with the pyromaniac charged.
DeleteKXLY has since posted two wildfire related stories to the top of their homepage. So they're back on track now. But it was an odd decision to have something not related to the fires be at the top of the homepage while the fires are still actively burning and the alleged arsonist having made his first court appearance today.
DeleteI see no problem with it. He did not pray during the newscast like they do on CBN. Savannah Guthrie has a book titled “Mostly What God Does.” She anchors a much larger broadcast and promoted her book on TV. Posting a prayer on his Facebook is no different than stations airing pride parades or putting a pride flag in their bios. As long as, they are not pushing an agenda in their work, you do you. I respect our differences.
ReplyDeleteValid point. Abby Acone using the news studio to promote her separate LGBTQ parody content crosses the line. The news set is reserved for the news, not TikTok on sexuality,
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