"There's a lot of black smoke here", offered up a prominent news reader who didn't want their name used.
Let's state some quick, beefy bullet points...
*How acrimonious was the Carolyn Johnson departure? Sure as hell a lot worse than you read, except here.
Word was, according to a newsroom source, even though she's leaving for a LA station, (which I'll tell you in a moment), Channel 7 management, (Watkowski and GM, Bill Burton), was insistent that Johnson continue to work to the very end. Embarrassing --at the last minute, morning anchor, Kristen Zse, apparently is scheduled to work the evening newscasts temporarily filling in for Johnson.
*The whole dog-and-pony show that is being planned when Johnson leaves is fraught with bullshit: A. I doubt Johnson will be on hand for a "newsroom celebration" and if a cake is ordered looks as if the interns will eat it. Hardly any staffers will want anything of it. They're worried about their job, particularly the writer/producers; the ones especially without union protection who feel as if they're about to be nudged out any day now because KGO is bringing in younger, cheaper, hires, with little or no experience.
*One of those younger hires happens to be the daughter of Brian Copeland, the host whose "7Live" show was dumped because of horrible ratings, (or lack thereof)--the feeling from the inside: "They're giving this woman a cush daytime position and that's really been met with a backlash by some of the veteran guys. It's a slap in the face really."
*Curious timing that this inner turmoil at KGO is just a few weeks before an important Spring sweeps period beginning at the end of April until May. The latest developments and toxic atmosphere in the building isn't going to rally the troops one would think.
*Several insiders insist Disney is trimming their station(s) to make a sale more appealing. Yes, the stations make money for the company but profits have been down and the cost of labor, notably the high-priced anchor/reporter talent pool is considerably higher.
*There is a major disconnect between staff and ND, Watkowski: Said a popular personality: "She micro-manages everything; she blows up on people without any care or thought and she has absolutely no people skills."
WHERE IS JOHNSON HEADED?
Look for Carolyn Johnson to land at NBC O and O, KNBC. She'll be making a lot more money, (I'm told $400-500K with significant perks and financial aid in moving expense). Keep in mind this is a HUGE move for Johnson. She's got 2 teenage kids and an attorney husband so this means having to uproot the family. Then again that first check should cleanse the wound.
*Follow me on Twitter
*The whole dog-and-pony show that is being planned when Johnson leaves is fraught with bullshit: A. I doubt Johnson will be on hand for a "newsroom celebration" and if a cake is ordered looks as if the interns will eat it. Hardly any staffers will want anything of it. They're worried about their job, particularly the writer/producers; the ones especially without union protection who feel as if they're about to be nudged out any day now because KGO is bringing in younger, cheaper, hires, with little or no experience.
*One of those younger hires happens to be the daughter of Brian Copeland, the host whose "7Live" show was dumped because of horrible ratings, (or lack thereof)--the feeling from the inside: "They're giving this woman a cush daytime position and that's really been met with a backlash by some of the veteran guys. It's a slap in the face really."
*Curious timing that this inner turmoil at KGO is just a few weeks before an important Spring sweeps period beginning at the end of April until May. The latest developments and toxic atmosphere in the building isn't going to rally the troops one would think.
*Several insiders insist Disney is trimming their station(s) to make a sale more appealing. Yes, the stations make money for the company but profits have been down and the cost of labor, notably the high-priced anchor/reporter talent pool is considerably higher.
*There is a major disconnect between staff and ND, Watkowski: Said a popular personality: "She micro-manages everything; she blows up on people without any care or thought and she has absolutely no people skills."
WHERE IS JOHNSON HEADED?
Look for Carolyn Johnson to land at NBC O and O, KNBC. She'll be making a lot more money, (I'm told $400-500K with significant perks and financial aid in moving expense). Keep in mind this is a HUGE move for Johnson. She's got 2 teenage kids and an attorney husband so this means having to uproot the family. Then again that first check should cleanse the wound.
*Follow me on Twitter
*The whole dog-and-pony show that is being planned when Johnson leaves is fraught with bullshit: A. I doubt Johnson will be on hand for a "newsroom celebration"
ReplyDeleteBIG DEAL. That's how businesses do these things, there's lots of bullshit. Someone leaves, everyone puts the best face on it.
Lieberman reports these details breathlessly as if it's enormous news, which it isn't. Some staffers at KGO who dislike Watkowski have discovered that Rich is a handy tool to advance their agenda.
Here's the Bay Area' media's worst kept secret: whisper any anti-management rumor in Lieberman's ear and he'll plaster it all over the internet as if it's gospel.
Hi, Tracey. Whatcha doin' for lunch?
DeleteFor those in the know, does this reported mean spirited, obnoxious, people skill lacking person have a significant other?
DeleteKnow for a fact Tracey reads this. She's nervous and should be. This drama doesn't fly with suits in Burbank and New York. Too much drama. Karma is a bitch isn't it Trixe?
DeleteYOU EVIL NASTY LITTLE TROLL, TRASHING CAROLYN COPELAND.. SHE WORKS ONE DAY A WEEK AS A FILL-IN AND IS IN THE UNION LIKE ALL THE OTHER PRODUCERS. WHAT A BULLSHIT ARTIST YOU ARE. SHE HAS WORKED AT BOTH THE CHRON AND THE EXAMINER AND AT KGO RADIO AND IS A GOOD WRITER AND A REAL JOURNALIST. ONE OF THESE DAYS SOMEONE IS GOING TO SUE YOUR ASS FOR LIABLE.
ReplyDeleteThat will be such a neat trick....suing someone for "liable".. How do you do that?
DeleteI have no knowledge of the issue at hand, but presumably this young woman is doing a good job.
Brian, if you're going to SHOUT, (CAPS), scream and yell, at least have a pair to ID yourself or is it you really are a coward?
DeleteAnd as far as "suing me"? On what grounds?
Not a genuine anonymous poster.
DeleteCopey sure is feisty after being off air yesterday supposedly sick. I still remember when he was putting his son on air a couple of years back. Awful radio! The son sounds just like the dad. One Copey sounding voice on air is more than enough
DeleteHey 1045: You're not a journalist. You're a comedian (make that a clown) and a bad speller. If you're going to insult, it's LIBEL, mush for brains.
DeleteOne more thing: deal with the facts, Jack.
Didn't the disingenuous black man threaten litigation when it was reported he *may* take over Ronnnnnnn's show? It seems to he his M.O. alas Al Sharpton.
DeleteI never quite understood headliners on the headlines myself. In my personal experience when I've listened they're always making fun of republicans or conservatives. Also I usually have only heard of 1 of the comedians on the panel (the same one that does all those liberal commercials). Would a better name for the segment be D listers on the headlines? Boom, roasted.
DeleteHaving roasted, I do have to say I enjoy Copie when I do listen. It's nice having a familiar voice on the radio year after year. They've gotten rid of so many.
DeleteWhy is Copie foisting his unqualified relatives into the workplace?? She should be able to find a job on her own, if she was truly qualified, instead of having to use Daddy's connections.
DeleteSo tacky.
LMAO at 10:45!
DeleteIt's actually the first thing Copie has ever said that made me laugh.
"Sue for Liable!" LOL
After all of these comments, waiting for the comedian to pull out the "race" card. Surprised he hasn't done that yet. Maybe the fool realizes it's not about race. If so, it's the first time he's used his brains in a bit.
DeleteLieberman makes it clear he's a blogger, not a journalist.
ReplyDeleteBloggers are allowed to spread unsubstantiated rumors and indulge in nasty character assassination.
Just remember this isn't journalism, it's gossip!
Only I'm right.
DeleteTell me where I'm wrong since my information comes directly from a KGO-TV staffer and staffers.
And who are YOU? Never mind.
Yes, people inside offices gossip all the time. That doesn't mean they know the whole story, that they are credible or motivated by anything other than self interest. Journalists confirm facts; bloggers, like Lieberman, repeat rumors,
DeleteYeah, "people" like the one's who are the subject of the posts.
DeleteYOU, sir/madam look worse off--posting anonymously behind your computer direct from 900 Front, you're such a imbecile.
Journalists report real news that is supported by facts.
DeleteBloggers with a particular agenda, like Lieberman, eagerly spread any rumor or gossip that tends to support their own mantra. Rumor and gossip are not facts.
Also, real journalists don't call others "imbeciles" for raising legitimate questions.
You mean "real journalists" like Jayson Blair of the NY Times and Janet Cooke of the Washington Post? Surely, NEVER has "journalists" ever made mistakes, wrote fictional stories, and ripped off like, say, Maureen Dowd of the Times or noted historian, Mr. Kearns-Goodwin.
DeleteYOU too are an imbecile, and a dumb one at that.
The truth is Rich that you block us if we use our actual names. So don't get all holy on us because we use the anonymous option.
DeleteYeah, journalists make mistakes but that's not the point. Journalists are expected to follow certain rules that bloggers like Lieberman neither understands nor even try to follow.
DeleteComcast media side is run by an ex-Cap Cities guy - Steve Burke. He knows the kind of profits good local news can generate, and saw what works at the ABC O&Os can do so they are investing.
ReplyDeleteAnd they also have a political agenda - keeping the regulators happy that they're providing the public service of investment in journalism so their Time Warner Cable deal can go through (read: LA). So they have an incentive to invest in news operations and talent.
Meanwhile Disney is not in the business of running a telco/local cable operations so doesn't need the political favor. My bet is Gannett picks up at least some of the ABC stations, perhaps divesting some of its lesser tier markets to make way.
So why aren't the rest of you putting 2 and 2 together to make 4 (KRON)? KGO is probably cutting down on staff, either direct layoff or salary reduction to make folks look elsewhere, because of the impact of the anticipated joint operation with KRON. I don't think they'll operate separately. It'll turn into a joint news operation with merging of the staff, can't you see the writing on the wall. And who do you think will be most likely to replace Carolyn Johnson ? I wouldn't be surprised if our Darla Folsom comes out "on top", if you excuse the expression, in the merged on-air staff. She's known in town, maybe on the younger end of the KRON old-time staff, and she has a broadcast still set that at least as good as Elizabeth Cook. Mark my words...
ReplyDeleteWell, we know that folks hate anyone black or female doing anything in the media or anywhere else so the Copeland comments are predictable. I appreciate the additional info about his daughter. Seems she has more experience than the people posting here.
ReplyDeleteI wrote this once before, but my comment was not added, I don't know why?! But Brian's Daughter is biracial. Her Mom is white, and of course Brian is African American...Race should not be a factor here, imho.
DeleteWould love to see KGO's FCC EEO hiring report for Copeland. Exigent circumstances?
ReplyDeletehttp://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=resources/inside_station/station_info&id=5797976
DeleteHere ya go. Enjoy the view.
Maybe this will help. KGO Radio's EEO documents. KGO-7 is really easy to get as well.
DeleteHey, the poster at 11:09, please tell me who else is providing insider information about our local radio and TV industry? Re-writing a press release, accepting without question, and not going deeper into an organization than the corporate spokesperson is not journalism. We once had several good newspaper writers covering the local media beat, but that era is gone. The radio/TV industry is a part of the local economy and deserves inquiring and skeptical reporting. Beyond that, the personalities in the business make for entertaining stories themselves. This stupid little blog is doing a pretty good job of breaking stories and trying to sort out fact from flak.
ReplyDeleteNo one else is providing this information, and maybe you should think about why.
DeleteCould be, as you say, that "this stupid little blog is doing a good job of breaking stories, OR, could be that there isn't really a story. What corroboration is there?
Isn't it amazing that there is screaming about "anonymity" here as "cowards, assholes, etc." but non-collaboratin with names missing is totally okay. This is comedy, not even blogging. Incidentally, because Christine calls herself by "name", I at least give Rich credit for using his full name. Christine doesn't even do that because she is "anonymous" as Christine. There are hundreds of those out there. Keep that in mind.
DeleteA reply to 1:39: If there "isn't really a story," why, then, are you not only reading the blog, but also taking time to comment? Corroboration? That's exactly the point. The economy of the news industry is such that the specialty beats have all but disappeared. Again, tell me who else is providing insider information about our local radio and TV industry?
Delete> No one else is providing this information, and maybe you should
Delete> think about why.
Maybe so should you.
> Could be, as you say, that "this stupid little blog is doing a good job of
> breaking stories, OR, could be that there isn't really a story. What
> corroboration is there?
Well, Aristotle, if no one else is providing information, how can there be by definition.
Take a college course in symbolic logic if that confuses you.
A joint operation is clearly where this is headed. More than that, it's probably a prelude to a duopoly sale. Here's another possibility to chew (or choke) on: KRON buys KGO-TV. Go ahead everyone, yell and stomp your feet all you want, but the traditional methods of valuation are falling apart.
ReplyDelete> KRON buys KGO-TV.
DeleteWith what? Baskets of kittens? Money with little choo-choo trains on it?
Media General owns KRON now; they're not a bankrupt operation like Young.
DeleteHey Rich, is Carolyn Johnson still leaving KGO-TV? I noticed she was still on as of today 4-14.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's leaving.
DeleteThey apparently, at the last minute, have reneged and are making her work till the very end of her deal.
Maybe tomorrow someone else will fill in.
> They apparently, at the last minute, have reneged and are making
Delete> her work till the very end of her deal.
They probably chained her to the anchor desk.
She will be making $400-$500k here in LA? I thought the days of inflated news salaries were over. Don't get me wrong, I know CJ is a great anchor, but seems a little high for an out of towner. It will be interesting to see how Los Angelenos react to her. She is classy and a lot of the stations are known for "sexing" up the news. The LA and Miami market come to mind.
ReplyDeleteDoris Kearns Goodwin is a woman, but you were close.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest working woman I've noticed on local media is Robin Winston. She's the best traffic reporter on KGO radio and comes off as a pro on KRON news a.m. I wish her luck.
ReplyDeleteI also wish Carolyn Johnson the best - any professional news person who can sit through the 4pm news and pretend to want to report about upcoming ABC programming (DWTS, etc.), deserves to move on to another job.
Robin Winston on Kron sounds too robotic to me. Her delivery creeps me out
ReplyDeleteAlso what is that on her head? Is that supposed to be hair?
I would like a taste of that Cake , I bet its still good !
ReplyDeleteCopeland hardly has a cushy position. She only works one day a week. ONE DAY a week!!! Hardly enough to ruffle any feathers among veterans.
ReplyDeleteI posted this before but for some reason it wasn't posted...
ReplyDeleteCopeland seems more than experienced for the job. From what I gather, she's worked in print and in broadcasting before landing that gig. Don't know why any vets there would be bothered by that. Especially since people are saying she just freelances there.