It's Official: Wayne Splits KTVU for KRON; Thursday 415 Media Reports

Ken Wayne moving to KRON

WHAT I REPORTED last week is now official: Ken Wayne, who spent nearly three decades at KTVU before abruptly leaving is headed across the bay to work the weeknight anchor desk at KRON; he begins sometime next week.

No word on which newscasts he'll anchor but underwhelming KRON could use a new face --especially in light of its recent decision to can Steve Aveson whose contract was not renewed and lasted barely a year and a half.

Wayne is not a fiery personality but his KTVU presence gives KRON a known Bay Area TV News journalist --something that can only help the independent albatross that needs a shot in the arm. Boy do they ever.

Wayne was working the last month without a contract; Fox-owned KTVU didn't want to renew Wayne for the money he was seeking (about $300K annually) --Wayne will be working for significantly less dough but he likes the Bay Area and was willing to take a pay cut to get the KRON gig. Yes, it's KRON but it's a job. That always helps to feed the family.

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415 Media Exclu: Dan Ashley Re-Ups At KGO-TV 'For Many Years To Come'

 Veteran KGO-TV (ABC7) lead weeknight anchor, Dan Ashley, has signed a "long-term" contract extension that will keep the twenty-year veteran at the ABC O and O for "many years to come", according to a reliable SF broadcast source.

Ashley has been a stalwart for KGO's pm news blocks anchoring the 5, 6, 9 (on KOFY) and 11 PM newscasts.

Reached by phone, Ashley refused comment but his re-up was, according to the source, finalized last week and an official announcement from KGO should be coming any day now.

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KGO-TV, Channel 7, Circle 7, SF Anchors

415 Media Exclusive: Mark Ibanez To Stay At KTVU; Veteran Sports Anchor To Sign Extension Through 2018; 'I'm Elated'

Mark Ibanez will be staying at KTVU Sports

 IBANEZ TO STAY AT KTVU; VERBAL AGREEMENT IN PLACE; WILL SIGN CONTRACT THIS WEEK

Veteran weeknight KTVU sports anchor, Mark Ibanez, has reached a "verbal agreement" with the Fox O and O to remain on the station at least another three years.

Ibanez' current deal expires on April 1.

Reached by phone, Ibanez confirmed the deal: "I'm elated with the terms. Really happy to get this done. On cloud nine baby!"

Ibanez will formally sign the contract extension this week.

Ibanez had the luxury of another station expressing an interest in him --that station is KGO-TV, but it never reached a point where negotiations over a deal were close but KGO was interested enough to make Ibanez an offer.

Ibanez, who's been at KTVU since 1979, didn't want to talk about specifics on his salary but it's believed to be about $360K per year. Not bad considering today's new compensation model for even big market stations and a Fox one at that.

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