About every 6-9 months I spend an afternoon and evening taking notes on the Seattle TV news market. Here are my observations from Monday, March 11th, 2019.
For starters, KOMO has a program called "Refined Seattle", which isn't really a news program, but more of a specialty program that features cool aspects of living in Seattle, (probably advertisers, but I digress). Notable that former KIRO sportscaster Gaard Swanson hosts it after his stint as an Orlando anchor for many years. This show is followed by the markets earliest afternoon news, KOMO's 3:30 newscast, this time co-anchored by Preston Phillips, from KPHO (CBS Phoenix). I was impressed with Preston, he definitely has the chops, and is also being utilized on the evening news as a breaking news anchor, and apparently anchors 11pm.
Moving to 4pm, KOMO has the longtime "lifestyle" newscast with Mary Nam, but is now coming from the main studio instead of the news room. Mary is solid as usual here. KCPQ (Fox) starts their afternoon coverage at 4pm with Marni Hughs and Matt Lorch, a solid team. They also do the 5pm. On KING, the "Take 5" experiment continues on...I do enjoy the casual relaxed presentation from the station lobby, but ratings will determine if it lasts.
At 5pm, things deteriorate quickly, and that is not good. KIRO's 5:00 is mundane and lacks energy IMO, with Raible and Ming Laven. I don't know, they aren't bad, but there doesn't seem to be any magic there. The set is good, except for the stagnant background. Over on KOMO, Eric Johnson is fine, Molly is fine, but again, nothing too exceptional. I do think Shannon O'Donnell is doing a fine job filling in for Steve Poole who is on medical leave. KING TV continues to look drab and depressing. The anchors, Wright and Matsukawa are proficient, but they look bored and not really involved IMO. Weather is being done by Craig Herrera, who I believe is on short-term contract. He actually is pretty good.
6pm has KIRO changing the anchor up with Dave Wagner. He continues to be one of the best anchors in the market. I'm not sure why they don't utitlize him more.
Into the evening, we see David Rose anchoring Fox on Joe-TV and KCPQ with Marni Hughes.
Caught a little of KCPQ mornings...they are right on target. Very good morning programming with strong personalities.
For starters, KOMO has a program called "Refined Seattle", which isn't really a news program, but more of a specialty program that features cool aspects of living in Seattle, (probably advertisers, but I digress). Notable that former KIRO sportscaster Gaard Swanson hosts it after his stint as an Orlando anchor for many years. This show is followed by the markets earliest afternoon news, KOMO's 3:30 newscast, this time co-anchored by Preston Phillips, from KPHO (CBS Phoenix). I was impressed with Preston, he definitely has the chops, and is also being utilized on the evening news as a breaking news anchor, and apparently anchors 11pm.
Moving to 4pm, KOMO has the longtime "lifestyle" newscast with Mary Nam, but is now coming from the main studio instead of the news room. Mary is solid as usual here. KCPQ (Fox) starts their afternoon coverage at 4pm with Marni Hughs and Matt Lorch, a solid team. They also do the 5pm. On KING, the "Take 5" experiment continues on...I do enjoy the casual relaxed presentation from the station lobby, but ratings will determine if it lasts.
At 5pm, things deteriorate quickly, and that is not good. KIRO's 5:00 is mundane and lacks energy IMO, with Raible and Ming Laven. I don't know, they aren't bad, but there doesn't seem to be any magic there. The set is good, except for the stagnant background. Over on KOMO, Eric Johnson is fine, Molly is fine, but again, nothing too exceptional. I do think Shannon O'Donnell is doing a fine job filling in for Steve Poole who is on medical leave. KING TV continues to look drab and depressing. The anchors, Wright and Matsukawa are proficient, but they look bored and not really involved IMO. Weather is being done by Craig Herrera, who I believe is on short-term contract. He actually is pretty good.
6pm has KIRO changing the anchor up with Dave Wagner. He continues to be one of the best anchors in the market. I'm not sure why they don't utitlize him more.
Into the evening, we see David Rose anchoring Fox on Joe-TV and KCPQ with Marni Hughes.
Caught a little of KCPQ mornings...they are right on target. Very good morning programming with strong personalities.
