Wednesday, January 9, 2019

KTVU's Somerville Near Re-Up; New Deal Might Set Tone On Ashley's Re-Up at KGO-TV; Wednesday Wash

Image result for Frank Somerville KTVU WEDNESDAY WASH

Frank Somerville's pending contract renewal will set the financial tone on another BIG re-up in the Bay Area TV news world: KGO's face-of-station,  Dan Ashley is a year away from his own contract being up and is expected to sign a new deal. A lot will hinge on what Somerville gets; sources close to the KTVU vet say Frank wants to get a deal done soon but will likely not get a huge raise from his current $650K -a-year compensation --that's a lot of money, sure, but the Bay Area is a Top-10 market and its longest-tenured anchor on a top-performing station would seem to suggest a pretty decent raise. Think again, we're talking about Fox-owned KTVU. That said, it is all but certain that Somerville will get a new deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $700K, again, lots of dough, but nowhere near what others in his position make.

*Next on deck is Circle7's steady Ashley.--KGO's big slugger figures to get a significant raise, one would think, from a Disney core feeling that likes to take care of its multi-decade performers in a big market like the Bay Area. Look for Ashley to get a new deal sooner rather then later.

Image result for Dan Ashley KGO
Dan Ashley
While he loves his role at the station, I'm told by a reliable source close to the situation, Ashley has considerable interest from stations elsewhere and apparently at least one cable network too. 

12 comments:

  1. KGO will keep Dan Ashley for sure no one can replace him. Eric Thomas can but cutting him on weekends sounds like it is telling him to leave. Reggie, under qualified to even become a reporter. Frank, he is better off switching to another station when the once trusted news station can no longer be trusted with 3 sets of reporters Frank-Julie, Andre-Gomez, whoever that cut name is-Heather adding on Elle Rasmus, Christina Rendon anytime replacements.

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  2. is Dan Ashley addicted to make-up and hair coloring? Seriously, I like the guy, but c'mon!!

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  3. So if I understand correctly, if Frank and Dan aren't paid large amounts of money, we the viewers will no longer watch ktvu or kgo?

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  4. . Dennis O'Donnell delivers a superior sports report on KPIX and they would be crazy to replace him. He is energetic without being irritating, playful, informative. The best they could hope for in a broadcaster.

    . KRON is delivering an amazing prime time newscast nightly. Truly a tribute to the tradition of journalism in the Bay Area, the news is delivered without bias and political sway allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions. I really appreciate that this news cast is available when others have an obvious agenda they are pushing.

    . Dan Ashley has reached his expiration date in Bay Area media. He would be wise to accept one of those out of town offers before he is asked to excuse himself from the mess that is his news delivery.

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  5. I think Ashley and Somerville are both terrific and do a rock solid job. Glad we have them

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    1. Are you seriously comparing Ashley with puppy dog-eyed, sanctimonious bleeding-heart-liberal Frank?!?

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  6. Who cares about their hair? They're on TV. Besides-- they look good to me.

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  7. That's a fair point-- Ashley is always right down the middle. I like his straight-forward, no-bias style. Seems like a genuinely nice guy too.

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  8. Best team in town for my money--- Dan and Daetz! I love their demeanor together on the air-- great chemistry. I can't tune in everyday-- but I enjoy watching them a few times a week. I like Spencer a lot too.

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    1. Oh, really? Which is da meaner, Ashley or Ditz?

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  9. Assley and Ditz are the worst combination going. They even outrank Slummerville and Holmesley,

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