MediaMaven

I'm told multiple engineers are out at Fox 13, leaving just two behind, combined with the production department to get the new studio ready for November in Denny Triangle.  Don't get the wires crossed over there, OK? Meanwhile, looks like Abby Acone's vacated weather position there will not be filled.  She left to join sales at KING. So, more work for Brian, Claire and Ilona.    I get no info at all that things are going well on Westlake right now. 

  First of all, Graham Bensinger's show is not exactly top tier viewing.  Nobody in Seattle probably watches  it.   But, he published a clip that was thought to be off the record just prior to starting the official interview.  Bad news for MM.   Secondly, Dave Pearson, the Seahawks longtime PR man, has been with the team for decades and should have been on scene for this interview, understanding what was off the record and on.  Failure to make it clear to the coach. Now, we hear Bensinger sent the full clips over to the Seahawks in advance and they raised no concerns. Two strikes, Pearson.   Failure.     One more and you're out under a new owner. It's the first full-on fiasco for MacDonald, so perhaps it's just an anomaly.  One the other hand it is a distraction that won't go away in the media and upcoming game telecasts.      I suggest the Seahawks should stop patting themselves on the back. ...

KOMO anchor Kelly Koopmans, who co- hosted a 'Hard Turn' podcast with Mary Nam before she left the station, has launched a new community podcast called 'Connect with Kelly Koopmans.' KOMO now has three podcasts, two which are sports-oriented (Inside the Arena and The Dark Side).  The future presses on. 

  This appears to only affect ARC Seattle (KUNS) and Portland is not mentioned.    I wonder if this national SInclair launch is in any way tied to Trump's White House ban of CNN and MSNow just last Friday.   SInclair is creating a larger national TV news footprint with this move . Coincidence?  Connecting the dots?  Did Trump know the expansion was coming? Sinclair Expands The National News Desk with Additional Programming and Added News Hours 09.21.2026 5 P.M. Newscasts and Daytime Editions Launch September 21 HUNT VALLEY, Md. – September 21, 2026 – Sinclair today announced an expansion of The National News Desk (TNND), increasing news programming and adding additional news hours across Sinclair stations. Beginning today, a 5 p.m. edition of The National News Desk, anchored by Taylor Murray, will be added to the programming schedules in Seattle, Nashville, Baltimore, Columbus, Mobile, Wilkes-Barre, Flint, Savannah, Charleston, New Bern, Reno and Chic...

KOMO anchor Patrick Hussion should recuse himself from reading stories about the Trump ban of CNN, MS Now and Politico since his old colleague lackeys at lackey OAN still get in.  He even covered the White House for that phony outfit.  IMHO, we need to know where he stands on this.  Free Press or Fake News.  Let's hear from you Patrick?  I'm sure you're welcome at Sinclair, but maybe you're in recovery. 

Seattle Times columnist Matt Calkins, who quit the paper after a transgender column was spiked, debuts at Outkick, writing about a women's sports bar in PDX. https://x.com/Matt_Calkins/status/2100604129215439276

Former KOMO 4 photographer Peter Mongillo has died after a battle with esophageal cancer. He passed away over the weekend with his daughters at his side.  Photo and story courtesy of MyNorthwest.com and KOMO's Michelle Esteban.