MediaMaven

Joe Freeman, the Blazers beat writer at The Oregonian says Kevin Calabro has decided to leave the Portland team as its lead play-by-play man.  Here's the social media post: "Kevin Calabro tells me has decided to step away from Blazers broadcasting and will no longer call games for Portland.   Th e team and its veteran play-by-play man had been in discussions on a new contract, but he called the offers "subprime" and he has decided to move on."  Calabro is the beloved former Sonics announcer and says he will be looking for a new NBA role behind the mike.  He also did a stint on KIRO radio drive time afternoon sports talk way back in the day.  Calabro's comment:  “Easy decision. Not worth my time,” Calabro said. “Which is sad because it’s a great roster and the people there are great.” His decision comes after much maligned new owner Tom Dundon ousted four announcers Tuesday, including Neil Everett, who came over from ESPN L.A. and Michael Holton. A loya...

Hank Price of Tvnewscheck.com has written a great piece about the Nexstar-Tegna saga with particular insights about Tegna employees, like those of KING, KGW and KREM, who will be caught in the crossfire. I urge you to read it.   I PS.  Hank helped me when I got my first ND job in Richmond in 87 and I cannot praise enough his knowledge of the business.   I was personally caught in the Gannett/Tegna malaise when I was at NWCN, so he speaks nothing but truth here. https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/price-tegna-employees-deserve-better/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATN6oJjbGNrBM3pxGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlRu3BbhXQzZmv7GFqi_JJa3Z8I-L-DiMXghnMAa94Y6IOJ0a8uoUmii5BB5_aem_jF2h7JyB2ksEywEbCWV8AA

If you set the 'wayback machine' some of you out east may remember Tove Tupper from her reporting days at KREM in the early 2010s. She left TV and eventually moved into school public relations. Now, her longevity and service has earned her National School Communicator of the Year for 2026.  She's the Chief Communications Officer for Highline Public Schools in King County and has worked there for 13 years.  Tove is a Pacific Lutheran U grad as well.   The award comes from the NSPRA.   Congratulations!

According to early reports, Neil Everett, who left ESPN co-anchor slot to join the Portland Trailblazers broadcast team is apparently our, despite back-to-back Emmy wins as best sportscaster in the PNW.  Local Seattle guys like Chris Egan of KING and Niko Tamurian of KOMO have not welcome him as a competitor in the awards entries.  He never showed up at the awards dinners either.  Carpetbagger. In addition to Everett, Michael Holton,Tom Haberstroh and Jamie Hudson out as the new owner puts the hammer down. Everett had a great run on the late SportsCenter from L.A. teaming with Stan Verrett before leaving for PDX.

  Ok, here goes, after some deliberation, it emphasizes daily field coverage and consistent performance.    1. Drew Mikkelsen KING.  Great covering the statehouse and the South Sound.  Consistent, solid, versatile, strong presentation every time.  I feel like he really loves his job and he's been at it a long time.  I give him a nod for being with KING the entire time after a stellar stint at KGW in Portland. 2. Chris Daniels KOMO.  This was a close call for #1.   I think Daniels has the best handle on Seattle politics and government that I have seen for a long, long time.   He's trusted by officials.   Determined and has a strong work ethic.  His posts about Seattle sports (not the business of sports) are a little much for me, but he has a following for his work on that side of the line. 3 . Jeremy Harris, KOMO.   I have criticized Jeremy for being overly hyped on a lot of his crime reporting, which is...

Just a random thought about how fast time passes - July 20, 2015 "To all of my FB friends.....I announced my retirement from NWCN and TV news today (all MY idea, no one pushing me out). WHY? Because 'it is time.' 44 years in the business, 24 in regional cable news, a variety of different jobs -- on-air and management, and the opportunity to retire here in beautiful Seattle (love the place) make it all possible. My last day is Sept. 4, so still time to do damage...LOL. I will be doing a great deal of adjunct teaching at the university level over the 2015-16 school year and will commit even more hours to my passion of creating heightened media and workplace awareness of mental health issues, particularly related to suicide. In the meantime, have a great rest of the summer....I will still be on FB, so feel free to chime in anytime." As it turned out, UW stopped hiring adjuncts in 2020 after my four happy years there, COVID obviously intervened big time, affetin...

Fox13 Seattle, a veritable employee sieve, loses producer Austin Lane, who like his wife, a former Fox13 producer, left a few months ago for a job in a nearby school district.  "Today is my last day at FOX 13 Seattle! I’ve worn many hats over the last 3.5 years here, producing newscasts, sportscasts, podcasts, live streams, and much more. Excited for the next step as part of the communications team at Lake Stevens School District!"  The station has multiple jobs posted, so add another. But, hey, Erin and Brian and Abby, keep smiling and laughing every day to fool the folks about your station. 

Bucky Jacobson, who has been missing recently from KJR-FM's airwaves, offered an update to his listeners and fans on social media.  "My time away for medical reasons gave me an opportunity to reflect on my priorities and how I want to spend this next chapter of my life. After a great deal of consideration, I've decided not to return to the daily commitment of the morning show. This wasn't an easy decision because I care deeply about KJR, the morning show, and the listeners who've been part of this journey. I'm grateful to the station for their support and willingness to work through this process with me. We're continuing to explore ways I can remain involved with KJR in a capacity that better fits my life and priorities today, and I'm looking forward to seeing where those conversations lead."

You know, it never ceases to amaze me what TV folk will do to get clicks on a third -party platform.    We had some random T-Storms today  nd KING 5 morning anchor Jake W. posts this gem!  "Thunder and lightning in Seattle! Anyone hearing this?" DUH!

Looks like former KCPQ reporter James Lynch (no relation) is showcasing a new video franchise on KIRO Radio called 'Cold Cases with James Lynch.'  Madison Wade, recently departed from KING, just had her own 'Unsolved' feature segment.  It's not a new idea but it keeps re-circulating, not exactly sure why except that crime always sells on TV news.  There are far too many other immediate critical issues in this city for reporters to spend time on that have real audience/ community impact, like downtown office vacancies, home prices, consumer fraud, et al.  It's mostly easy repeating of what it already known, and police can hook reporters up with pics, family interviews and known details.  I understand the fascination, the desire for family closure and the process.  But it's been going around anew like a 'flavor of the month.'    Just my opinion.   'You took my sister away': Family pleads for answers in 1999 Holly Park homicide as investiga...

I thought KOMO morning anchors badly needed their height better equalized on camera. But Fox 13's team of David Rose and Hana Kim is even worse with another poorly composed two-shot.  Is anybody in the control room?  Guess not.   Hana made to look small and subordinate.  It's called "Go tighter.  Get the irrelevant wings out."  Here's KOMO's shot previously posted here, a similarly poor set up, for comparison.   Small individual risers are available.  Operators are standing by. 

Nice reader tip, even belatedly, that former KING weekend anchor/reporter Vanessa Misciagna joined Boeing as a media specialist about a year ago... Sorry for the delay.    She was another victim of the Scripps News effort, along with Tatevik Aprikan, who left Fox 13 for Scripps, later marrying K5 anchor Greg Copeland. She joins a long list of ex-KING5-ers who have gone to the aviation giant in PR roles.    Reporters Elisa Hahn, Bernard Choi, Shaniqua Manning, Michael King, Kierra Elfalan, Ted Land...photogs and producers as well.  A lucrative landing spot, indeed, for so many.   Can't even name them all.

KUOW-FM still wins the month, but the number fell sharply from a 10.1 share in May to 7.4 in June, with KIRO-AM jumping .5 share points to 7.3.  Gotta assume it's World Cup/Seattle games fever!.  In other news, KNKX topped KNWN by a .1 for the second straight month.   KEXP has dropped from a 6.3 in March to a 2.6 in June.   The full chart is here: https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb039 Totals are Persons 6+, Mon-Sun, 6am-midnight This profile contains an quarter hour rating (AQH) share of persons, ages 6+, Monday through Sunday in the Metro Survey Area. A share is the percentage of those listening to radio in the MSA who are listening to a particular radio station.

Here's the post on social from David Kroman, who's making the jump from the Seattle Times to a public radio host! "Heads up on a personal update: The next two weeks will be my last at The Seattle Times. Next month, I'll join Libby Denkmann as co-host of KUOW's Soundside. It's a big change that I'm very excited to make, though of course I'm sad to leave the Times."  KUOW has dominated Seattle radio ratings for many, many months.  Kroman is well source-connected in the market.

Who says competitors shouldn't be cordial, even friendly at a charity event?  Niko and Arielle make it happen in Tacoma Sunday! 

With the new and harnful parasite circulating around the country, Liz Dueweke, formerly gf KOMO, Fox 13 and the Allen Brain Institute (I know, counter intuitive for her), posts this helpful information, something dietary from her new life in Chicago.  Huh? "You know what's never given me parasitic diarrhea?"  Then she proceeds showing her fave fun foods.  Like we care. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BYAF2oGRn/

  I decided to peek in at the 5pm newscasts after the Seahawks sale was announced Saturday around 4. KING was tops with Paul Silvi joining virtually from his home and discussing his belief about the ownership group leaving the team alone to defend their title and primarily working on the improvement of Lumen Field in hopes of a Super Bowl someday.  Good authoritative insights from the best vet in town, responding as the station should, getting the Sports Director immediately involved. On the other hand, there was no sports anchor for the entire show, with news anchor Madeline Carter doing all the stories.   That's with four people on the staff!! Dusty Baker, Maddie's significant other, still MIA on air. Oh well, it's summer. Maenwhile, Niko Tamurian was apparently off today at KOMO.  Michelle Esteban had to cover.  Niko was not on set at all and his sports segment was clearly pre-taped with no mention of the sale. What surprised me is that KOMO did not at l...

Hearing that KONG's 'The Ultimate Sports Show' with Paul Silvi and Chris Egan is doing so well, it's being moved to KING at 10.  Heard it here first!!   Keep an eye out! 

Mariners lead announcer, Aaron Goldsmith, says he's starting his All-Star Break early as of now, with Rich Waltz taking his chair until the Friday after the mid-summer hiatus.    Goldy wins by a 'hair!'

55 years in the books today for my wife and I.  Met at the college radio station at Kent State.   Spun the platters for her midday FM show.    That's our personal long-playing record!    At least I did one thing right!!