Dana King would "strongly" consider coming back to KPIX as a primary anchor "if the situation was right", according to sources close to King.This comes as rumors about a King reunion was reported by 415 Media last week.
Hard to believe it's been nearly three years since the veteran anchor left PIX --the reason, officially, was that she wanted to leave the TV News business and teach school and pursue her passion: the art of sculpture.
The unofficial reason was that King was tired and wanted to leave under her own terms and that she and news boss, Dan Rosenheim, didn't exactly see eye to eye. That's not such an unusual occurrence in the world of big-market TV News.
Since leaving King even pursued politics vying for a seat on the Oakland City Council. She lost. She is currently living in Oakland and maintains a low-key presence but, according to one source, still has a thirst for Television Journalism.
Both sources cautioned that a return "would have to be 'where the stars align" --"Look, she misses the drive, the excitement--it's still in her blood, but whether or not they, (KPIX) have interest is another story."
I believe King wants to return. I think it would be a win-win situation for both her and KPIX which can use a shot in the arm given their recent ratings and horrid May Sweeps. King coming back, to be paired with, say, Ken Bastida, at 6 and 11 PM, would be a monumental jolt for the CBS O and O.
And while the idea is almost unthinkable and probably untenable; perhaps a PIX-infused trial balloon, the fact that King has said though sources that she'd be interested is news in and of itself. Yes, that's right, the sources I spoke to close to King are solid. One.Hundred.Percent.Solid.
KPIX is at a crossroads--they're going nowhere fast. The Veronica De La Cruz experiment has soured and is a dud. PIX won't say it--I will. The Bay Area is a tough market to crack. VDLC hasn't exactly warmed to the audience--or lack thereof.
King coming back would make for a stunning, compelling and uber-bold move by GM, Bruno Cohen, and ND, Dan Rosenheim.
Get a back room at Tadich and get the ball moving, boys, you just got a big Golden Gate opening.
*415 Media Exclu
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I don't remember KPIX doing spectacularly while they were an anchor team.
ReplyDeleteMaybe better than what they have today, but look at KGO with Daetz / Ashley. That's how to freshen it up.
I think Veronica could take over while Elizabeth Cook is on maternity leave. I don't see Dana King improving ratings
ReplyDeleteIt would be a bold move that would be targeting legacy viewers and the LGBT community.
ReplyDeleteIf people can't see the direct KGBT targeting, then they are blind.
Makes sense to try in the #6 (soon to be 8th) DMA.
It'd be a good thing for all concerned. Bay Area TV viewers, all viewers really, prefer familiar faces at the anchor desk, whether a balding and frumpy Dave McElhatton or a silver-haired King. Generic faces don't do so well, and KPIX has a hatful of them these days.
ReplyDeleteCohen & Rosenheim...hmph, figures those two last names would be running a TV media station in SF.
ReplyDeleteCassie, what do you mean by that comment?
DeleteOn the radio side, CBS has begun layoffs today. As many as 200 people nationwide.
ReplyDeleteKing, Gonzalez...add Dave Clark and the quarantine will be complete.
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts:
ReplyDelete1) She misses the drive and excitement? Who told you that, her? Anchors primarily order dinner and sit there reading others' copy. What drive and excitement--that of watching other people work?
2) While I have nothing against her coming back, it'll be sad to see the ten or fifteen people they lay off in production so that they can afford to take her on again.
lol - now she's 55 she's going to be less tired than she was three years ago? When she let her hair go white I thought I was watching the geriatric news! I like Dana, but time has moved on. I don't see ratings improving if she's back, except for an initial blip while the curious look to see what all the fuss is about.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't get me to watch KPIX for news.
ReplyDeleteHow long does PIX have VDLC signed up for? Another year?
ReplyDeleteI can't see Dana King wanting to join the ilk of the everything-for-me-&-Fuck-You Oakland City Council.
ReplyDeleteI imagine she has a thirst for the CBS paycheck as much if not more than a thirst for television journalism.
ReplyDeleteCBS O&O KYW just blew out a bunch of anchors and promoted a male black anchor ala Lester Holt. Granted the guy has been at KYW for 29 years...but it shows that CBS might be into rolling with the resurgence of the minority anchor trend.
ReplyDeleteJust saying.
He's been there 29 years and you insinuate 'race'. Pathetic
DeleteLike it or not...
DeleteIt's about race.
Maybe you should take up your concerns about "race" with CBS.
I'm a conservative white male, and that comment above just screams "racist" to me, too. What about the years of service? I'm not familiar with his work, but obviously he's competent. Everyone's a racist to some degree, but you are way over the top.
DeleteThank God you goofballs in San Francisco are a minority. Dana King, are you kidding me??? Hey, I have a good idea, bring back Van Amburg! What a joke. Cannot wait until all the news outlets follow NBC and move to the South Bay and leave you idiots in the dust. Nothing wrong with Veronica De La Cruz except your petty bitching. Get a life.
ReplyDeleteWe may be the minority, but I don't think they are going to be calling it the San Jose Bay Area any time soon.
DeleteIt is Silicon Valley you moron.
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