The Stakes Just Got Higher at Circle7/KGO 900 Front --Memo to Trixie and Tommy C --The Mouse Ain't Happy at Palace Coup

Tracey Watkowski-Silva

Memo to Circle7 Tommy and Trixie

Most TV General Managers, especially those inked by te Mouse, can't speak publicly about Trump, the Giants, Global Warming, or anything else, even Rich Lieberman, without Disney O and O approval.

ITS IN THE FUCKING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT!

Every ABC 7/KGO-TV GM, from Russ Coughlin to Joe Ahern and beyond the grave KNEW THAT! 

Ahern's only big moment was getting shitfaced and pissing on shoes during the St. Patty's Parade.

It appears, ABC 7, GM Tom "Tommy Boy" Cibrokwsi is also now pissing in his adult diaper, poised for Southwest one way to Burbank HQ... for FUCKING with the Mouse.  And me both directly and indirectly, what a fine coincidence.

Sources tell me Cibrokwsi was blindsided by ND Tracey "Trixie" Watkowski. (smart enough not to sign the petition) In a well organized Palace coup. She encouraged Tommy Boy knowing full well the shit-storm would land on Tommy. 

Behind his back, Trixie and her legions paint Tommy Boy as a steak house buffoon and this FUCK--UP will grease her way to the GM corner office. It's ruthless. It's a power grab. It's so Trixie.

It doesn't FUCKING MATTER.

In the meantime, congrats Trix, you outwitted ole Tommy C at my expense.

Tom Cibrowski

Word On The Street: ABC Looking To Buy KRON; Disney Big Suits Coming To SF To 'Assess The Market'; Monday First Start

No one is talking on the record because they won't or can't but the big rumor is that ABC is actively interested in buying KRON. In fact, one of my sources told me that an offer was already on the table for around $200 million--I would assume that would include the mound of corporate debt too --in any event, the offer, supposedly, was turned down

But the idea makes too much sense. Which doesn't necessarily mean it will happen because of the load of issues ahead. But KRON is already inside the ABC Broadcast Center at 900 Front and has a SSA (shared-services agreement) with KGO-TV. One day soon you're going to see both station's air talent on each others screen. Privately, I'm told that ABC is sending a few of it major industry execs to SF to "assess the market." I doubt they're coming here just to eat at a few restaurants and walk the Embarcadero.

Yes, of course the unions are nervous.

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Nervous Galore at 900 Front; Johnson Leaving; Ex-Political Reporter Matthews Fired by TW Headed to NBC Bay Area; 20% Pay Cut Might Be Prelude for KGO Sale by Disney

  There's a lot of nervous folks at 900 Front, the ABC Broadcast Center on the Embarcadero that houses KGO-TV and for good reason.


From broadcast sources, some of whom have direct access to sensitive information: the very possible blueprint to a possible SALE of the station!


It's a behind-the-scenes missive by Disney to begin massive financial trimming of its O and O's to maximize a potential sale and KGO wouldn't necessarily be the only station involved. Think LA here too. "Leaner and Meaner" comes into play. Nothing is imminent mind you but weeks ago the first target was KGO when all air talent and newsroom personnel, (with the exception of cameramen), were told there would be a 20% across-the-board pay cut. (Ouch!)


Carolyn Johnson, one of the station's higher-profile anchors and a stalwart of the operation would have nothing of that and began looking at other options--she found a higher-paying gig with significant perks in a bigger market, Los Angeles no less, and is leaving. The station is unknown, but I'd bet it would be KNBC. (Don't believe the bullshit memo that Johnson was leaving amicably --she left 100% due to the pay cut announcement). Only the sheep press bought that spin.


KGO News Director, Tracey Watkowski, has been given the directive to begin the process of slashing and mashing and, from a source, "she's the perfect person to do it--has 'ice in her veins--she knows a lot of people don't like her but she doesn't care." Until afterward when Watkowski becomes the scapegoat and she herself gets the Disney axe.


*TRANSACTION: Here's an interesting one. Mark Mathews, who is a veteran political reporter and was unceremoniously dumped by Watkowski a few months back, has been hired by NBC Bay Area and begins his new position on Monday. Odd coincidence.
Here's another: Leigh Glaser, the KGO veteran meteorologist that retired abruptly last week. Glaser leaving wasn't that shocking but the timing, in lieu of the pay-cut directive and Johnson's splitting sheds new light on why she took off so suddenly.




Here's a laundry list from another source of what management is thinking of various personnel. It's not the gospel and far from being enacted but good enough to show what's on the horizon:


In Sports: Shu is out too old and expensive. ( Nice guy ) They looked at Scott, (Kate), but it's not worth the effort. Freelance is the best option

*Keep Biel only because he does news & sports

*Retire Eric Thomas, he's too old.

*Keep Kristen, (Z morning Amma evenings)

*Management will hang on for at least a year because they've been tapped for dirty work. Hire a "nice guy" team after the damage is done and the station is sold

*Huge photographer cuts, (going freelance)


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Layoffs at ABC O and O's; KGO-TV Nervous Staffers; Thursday Quick Start

ABC is owned by Disney and the Mickey Mouse Club is cutting the workforce nationwide --almost 200 people, in fact, many who work at the O' and O's, (owned and operated stations).

Among those stations included in the purge is at 900 Front, at KGO-TV near the Battery Media gulch.

"Of course we're nervous, but what are you going to do about it," say a longtime staffer who told me it's been especially hard in the newsroom where the dreaded pink-slip affair has been rumored for weeks.


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