Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Toxic Mood Inside KGO-TV's 900 Front Street

 There's the  usual drama that permeates most TV News rooms, particularly those in large markets. KGO-TV's abode at 900 Front is no different.

Then again, things could be, according to one of my moles, a "whole, hell of a lot better."

Among other things, the disconnect between ND, Tracey Watkowski and the rank and file is supposedly overly toxic.

Watkowski has a lot on her plate:

*The low numbers at 5, and 6 PM. 4PM isn't the problem because hardly anyone watches local newscasts at 4 PM and I've heard rumors KGO might be looking down the road to shelve the 4. KGO usually puts out a glossy press release highlighting their evening numbers but curiously none has made it's way out. Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.

*KGO doesn't have a Super Bowl to build around this week and the Olympics are on NBC, advantage KNTV, (NBC Bay Area) next week, which means, "we're pretty much screwed the next three weeks, said my source. No shit. That's not Watkowski's fault but the big suits don't care.

*The continued Heather Ishimaru on-going tragedy. Medical issues, legal entanglements aside, the whole affair was totally mismanaged by both lower and top-level management. Ishimaru recently suffered a massive stroke and faces a long and arduous recovery.

*Developing...

*Follow me on Twitter

13 comments:

  1. The Super Bowl is on Fox and the Olympics are on NBC. Is that supposed to be news?

    Some people who work at KGO-TV are unhappy. Imagine that, some people don't like their jobs.

    This is a developing story?


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    1. Hey, I don't know about you, but I felt like I was watching KTVU as I read this... :-)

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    2. There are nearly 1.7 million unemployed folks who lost their extended benefits over a month ago. I'm sure 99% of them would put up with a "toxic mood" at work if they could get a paycheck to feed their families.

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    3. Hey 2:52 wake up! What was the premier shop in town is crumbling thanks in large part to middle managers ( like Tracey ) who can't work with people. Check Tracey's ND history at KFSN in Fresno, she's a weapon of mass destruction!

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  2. Be it news, sports, or regular programming, I can't remember the last time I tuned in circle 7.

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    1. It has been over 10 years since I have watched their news.

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  3. I watch KGO News into Jeopardy nearly every night.

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  4. Why do you press the Heather issue? They do not owe us an explanation. They are staying classy by staying silent.

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    1. Staying classy, or covering their asses?

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    2. You have a strange definition of "staying classy."

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  5. "Toxic" is a bit of an overstatement judging by what I just read.

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  6. How is the lack of a super Bowl or the Olympics affecting KPIX, KRON? Would be interesting to compare.

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  7. What's the big difference among newscasts at 4, 5 or 6 on ANY station?

    News is news, and we're affixed to it all day ... radio, Smartphones, office computers ... etc..

    When was the last time you were "stunned" to hear a "lead story," at any time of the day or night?

    I arrive home in the mid-late afternoon, watch Larry and Caroline on 7, at 4 ... then relax, and tend to other things.

    Only a magnitude 4.5, would draw me to any TV news until 10 or 11, depending on how tired I am, or what I'm doing.

    Stations know this about many viewers. That's why they're so frantic to present "BREAKING NEWS!!," which can be hours old.



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