"Cha-Cha Changes" Coming to KPIX Even Though Tuesday Meeting Was Underwhelming

THAT IMPORTANT meeting at PIX was really just a teaser...in a way.

This much is certain: changes, indeed are coming to Channel 5--some, across the board, many others just here and there but CHANGE is coming. It has to

The Tuesday talk was attended by GM, Scott Warren and news boss, Lisa White. Nothing specific nor anyone in particular were discussed. The gist of the meeting, according to PIX contacts, was a sort of a preamble of what's to come and a general layout of what's in the future plans at 855 Battery.

I asked one particular source--who knows every square inch of the newsroom, then why have a meeting if no specifics were outlined?

"Because they (management) wanted to set the groundwork. Everyone knows their own position is going to change. Everyone. And it will affect morning, midday and night. It's just we don't have the full scope yet."

I do.

I know KPIX is DEAD LAST in the morning. (And pretty much everywhere else)-- I also know the new guy wants a revamped morning show, maybe a big expansion in fact. CBS doesn't have an (still) effective network show in the AM--it's been like that, what, for years? Yes. So if PIX tries to retool its AM package, (and that's the word), good luck. It'll have to get the OK from NY since PIX is an O and O (owned/operated).

More out of Tuesday's powwow: most assuredly, Ryan Yamamoto will be moved off the primetime news. So too, Liz Cook, (which would be big)--Yamamoto is probably headed for another time slot. PIX doesn't want to admit he's (Yamamoto) not a viewer favorite. In any case, he's being moved, most likely.

So too, Sara Donchey, the "way-too-LA" anchor. Where, no one knows yet.

Cook's future at PIX might warrant speculation now because her early goals were to anchor at 5 and then try to get a network position in NY (thanks to her connected father at Disney)--I've noted Cook's ascent at PIX; I commended her for improving her delivery and overall performance but that hasn't tranlated to success with viewers. Moreover, Cook isn't particularly liked nor respected at the PIX studios.

Change not only involves anchors but reporters too. The vast majority of its reporters look stale and boring. PIX needs to throw many of them out into the garbage bin.

KPIX doesn't just need a new, thorough cleansing, it needs a new look, a fresh scent of paint. Its news presentation is stale and uninvighting but worse, its set is vanilla and crummy. All you have to do to confirm is to take a look at their product. Yuck.

Case closed.

Cha-ch changes can be a good thing. It's finally coming to KPIX and it's about time.

For a change.