The Anatomy of Getting Ripped Off; How the Mercury News and SFGate (Chronicle) Lifted My "Somerville Story"

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I'VE HAD A ROUTINE.

Every other day, I'd text Frank Somerville, the KTVU anchor who was suspended, and ask him what was going on. I'd inquire if there was any news about the situation at KTVU. He indicated several times that "nothing was new." Most every time, I'd tell him, "Frank, why don't you go on the record." And he'd always tell me no.

Until yesterday, (Tuesday) when I said his story was getting murky; that Fox/KTVU was letting him dangle away and maintain this sort of quagmire. He agreed and said, "yeah, OK, let's 'go on the record." This was on the phone. I told him to text me some quotes and he did so in a few minutes.

HERE'S THE STORY, check the time stamp. I was both stoked and excited because my hard work paid off. I managed to get Somerville to go on the record and I immediately tweeted out my get. (Again, notice the time stamp). I then feverishly wrote a story to make the blog and it immediately gained traction and the buzz was official: Frank had said he'd most likely done his last newscast on KTVU and that he was clearly frustrated over the entire matter.

It was 9: 37 in the morning which was important to me because that would mean the trades could pick up my exclu and most likely, I might get local reaction.

Then THIS APPEARED.

Only a few hours AFTER my original story posted, Martha Ross of the Mercury News wrote almost an identical story. What a coincidence. Yeah right. I re-read the entire story and Ross made NO MENTION of my story, the story I reported FIRST. I was stunned. I had the Exclu. I had contacted Frank and had the entire quote(s). Had Ross LIFTED my story and not credit me? Did she give me attribution and her editor simply remove my name? I didn't care because I was steamed and angry. I worked my ass off and I felt my hard work was being stolen.

Then I really began to become ENRAGED when I saw this. A story by Joshua Bote of SFGate that was a virtual duplicate my original story. Worse, Bote (or his editor) had the chutzpah to credit the Merc story. The earlier piece that STOLE my story that was already published on 415 Media hours before. Incredible. So it then made me fume. I was livid. Talk about needing a stiff drink.

I took to the internet and looked for more evidence. I suddenly realized that all I'd do was get more angry and nauseated so I turned off my computer and took a walk. I shook my head. Maybe I was naive but I thought to myself, what the hell happened to professionalism in this world. Was it too naive to expect common decency? How could two main news sites publish a story so obviously LIFTED from me.

Was it to naive to expect to see this disclaimer, "Reported First, by Rich Lieberman?", something that is usually placed in stories like this. But no. Boy am I a sucker.

I then saw this link from SFist. Jay Barmann, the editor who noted my story (albeit with a 'hound" remark) nevertheless, an ATTRIBUTION. It was the right thing to do. Too bad the Merc and SFGate didn't get the memo.

I contacted both the Chron (SFgate) and Merc editors to ask about all this and got no response. How shocking. (wink)

A Few Things; again, I WORK HARD to bring interestng, informative, unique and yes, sometimes, ORIGINAL content. It's not an ego thing it's more a desire to get more and more people to the blog. Which is why I PUSH and PUSH for my stories. Because it's for survival and doing my best and all so that when I get the scoop, maybe more subscriptions pour in; maybe the donations increase. That's how I roll. Every day. So yeah, when I'm RIPPED OFF, I get angry.

I RESISTED the urge not to write this post. I didn't want to bore you, the readers, over my own frantic situation and a situation involving a story about a local news anchor's future, but it had to get out. I hope you all continue to read 415 Media.

Sex, Lies and Videotape Create Rancor on KTVU's Prized '10 0'Clock News'; Anchors Distrust Each Other; Somerville at Center of Storm; Haener is 'Nosy'; Martin's Aloofness Growing; Ibanez Stays Away from Fray (For Now) Mysterious Texts Abound; 415 Media Exclusive

Frank Somerville and Julie Haener on set of "10 o'clock News"

KTVU's Vaunted Franchise, Its "10 O'clock News" is beset with anchors who don't trust one another; have contempt for one another; routinely question its partner's personal and in some cases, professional behavior; there's more. But despite all this rancor, the TEN O'CLOCK NEWS is still far and away the ratings winner in the Bay Area news wars and still garners industry admiration here and beyond.

That said, Fox-owned KTVU brass is "extremely worried" that the tension gripping its hallmark newscast could become an issue if those tensions worsen and become more pronounced.

415 Media knows the full, inside story; the story you won't get anywhere else but here and now:

*Frank Somerville, KTVU's veteran two-decade anchor is beset with personal problems galore; he's become aloof to the point where even his closest friends are worried about Frank's suddenly "erratic" behavior. Somerville is getting a divorce and has left his house and wife while dealing with that and an ongoing station matter which has rocked the newsroom and proved embarrassing for Somerville and his closest friends. Why the divorce? Only Somerville's wife knows but it isn't a very pretty picture across the board. It's also a lesson: no matter how much you insist your daily dalliances with a very attractive 30-something intern is strictly platonic, the perception is otherwise.

Somerville has a new flame. His wife has a high-priced divorce attorney. It could get ugly. It already has. Frank is moody and irritable. He's distanced himself from close confidants. He doesn't laugh much anymore and is "not the same Frank", a staffer tells me who knows him well.

Bill Martin (l) and friend, Janice Huff

*Julie Haener was always; still is; considered a quality news anchor and steady influence on the set but her growing influence has colleagues both weary of her personal chit-chat and royally pissed off that she spreads gossip and innuendo. While ON THE SET! Haener asked an anchor recently off-air was that individual talking to 415 Media. "No", said the person although Haener wouldn't stop badgering --only a break back to news from a commercial put an end to the actions of nosy Haener.

*415 Media has learned through a reliable station contact that weatherman, Bill Martin, is openly chastised by co-anchors off screen, why? Martin is now leaving the station habitually, mostly after the early-evening newscasts to head home to Lafayette to have dinner with family, hardly anything unusual but at the expense of his weather research needed for later shows? Yes, a problem.

*Veteran 40-year Sports anchor and Director, Mark Ibanez, gets static from the team because Ibanez tries to stay away from the fray. In fact, he's been teased by friends because he's largely immune from all the other's chaos, and make no mistake, it's chaos.

*A potential whammy: a series of potentially embarrassing and slightly salacious texts that were sent to the intern that were leaked out and viewed by 415 Media. The texts are mostly innocuous but they do contain, shall we say, "interesting forms of communication" that don't appear to be anything about TV News business. And now, mysteriously, they're gone. Maybe a self-inflicted wound? Guilty.

Haener nosy? 

While all this is taking place, newscasts somehow happen and it's business as usual at KTVU, for now. If you believe word on the street, or certainly through the 54-camera newsroom, watched by overruling and take-no-prisoner HR bosses, if there's a crack in the armor, then "all hell will break out." 

And we'll be watching.

#415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE

Jason Brooks Droning at KCBS; 30 Rock Wants Raj Mathai But They'll Have to Wait; Ken Wayne KRON Experiment Not So Smooth; 415 Media Friday

Jason Brooks

HE JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING...Nobody doubts the business expertise of KCBS money reporter, Jason Brooks. He's on top of it from early morning to late afternoon.

But the voice. The vanilla monotony that dulls the senses. Yes, I'm getting personal, of course I am.

Brooks' voice drones on and on almost like a robotic bot that sounds almost computer-like. Brooks doesn't have to sound hysterical; he's positively blase. But it would be wise of him to pick it up a notch and get away from the monotone buzz switch. It's downer-central. And I'm being kind.


*Speaking of KCBS, their morning cacophony of ENDLESS commercial spots has begun to cause ear aches. It's especially evident after the prolific traffic reports where four-minute clusters of continuous ads borders on obnoxious. Sure, you have to pay the bills but this form of commercial spot overkill amounts to greed personified.

*Once again the rumor mill has heated up over the status of lead NBC Bay Area anchor, Raj Mathai, as the 30 Rock News folks are hot on the trail of Mathai who seems pretty much set to remain in the Bay Area and San Jose specifically. But while his partner, Jessica Aguirre, is working without a long-term contract, Mathai not only signed a long-term extension, but one which had several zeros in it and makes Raj near the territory of Frank Somerville at KTVU and Dan Ashley at KGO.. (The latter nearing his own extension which could make him the undisputed salary king of Bay Area TV News) And well deserved.

Raj Mathai with wife and newest family member

Mathai seems to me to not want any part of NY even if it means working in Manhattan amping up his career, which it most certainly would. Mathai has a growing family and is quite settled down in the South Bay. A network gig might be prestigious now but Mathai could wait until his kids get older and then migrate to the east. Then, the money will be even better and his family situation is more ready for the move to Gotham.

Ken Wayne

*Nearing a year with KRON, Ken Wayne's migration to the albatross station hasn't produced any iota of buzz whatsoever, in fact, ratings are pretty much stagnant. Wayne left KTVU when they didn't offer him a contract extension (and took a massive pay cut). Seems his gig at KRON would be more conducive for the soft-spoken Wayne but that's not the case.

Wayne is a steadying anchor, for sure, but excitement is not his greatest virtue. He makes departed Steve Aveson look like a relative Ron Burgundy.

KTVU Fox2 '10 o'Clock News' Early 2019 Playbook

I'LL SAY THIS: DO NOT TRUST THEM AS THEY USED TO SAY, "Trust us."

It's a BS word, trust. They should never be trusted in the first place.

Never.

They used to be the gold standard in Bay Area TV News. It's a different world, I know, but they no longer carry the sword. They are a lot of talk with very little swagger. They've been reduced to everyone else and they happen to be in first still in a marginalized business in a marginalized town, is KTVU News. They still have very, very good people--on the air, that is--and they do good things but they have severe case of egotitus and mass carelessness, to wit:

*Frank Somerville: so, you're getting a divorce. It happens. Don't freak out, Frank. You're human. The news is not unsettling at least in the public. It would have leaked out anyway and besides, it's no big deal anymore even if you think it is. The only issue now is to get on with your life and read the news and quit worrying about the repercussions. There are none. You're a mostly good guy, Frank. A few personal peccadillos doesn't define you.  Keep on keeping on, Count Somerville.

*Julie Haener: Jules, why have I always been suspicious about you? For a time I thought you were a hard worker and honest journalist. Was it working with Dennis Richmond all those years? Oh, don't get me wrong, Dennis was good and for a time, cool, but he obviously had an effect on you and it took its toll. So Julie, the outside sheen is simply an act. Deep down you're as occasionally mean as all the rest of us civilians. Don't take yourself so seriously and just carry on the task of reading the teleprompter. By the way, unlike Dennis, have you ever gone out in the field? Ever? 

*Bill Martin: I have a ton of respect for you, Bill. You may think I've taken cheap shots but Bill, you know I was spot on. You seem to have taken off some time of late. The weathercasts seem disjointed and broken. All in all, you still got it, Bill, but there's no crispness anymore and a few of your cohorts seem bored. They are not alone. You need to tighten it up and become a lot more fresh. It's not that difficult.

*Mark Ibanez: Wow, have times changed. Mark, you used to be a total breath of fresh air. You wrote the best three minutes of sports in the whole market. You were the STAR! The real deal. The punch, the spirit, the salute, the gravitas. Now Mark, it all comes out. Don't be phony Mark. You know what a phony is? A phony is a person who does/says one thing; does another; has an image as a good guy and all-around cool person. But then behind the scenes is 100 percent the opposite. Mark, you have 40 years in the company and you still are the man, it's just that your star has faded quite a bit in the end and I'm the only one who knows. Mark, it's 4th down and 10 from the 10 and you have one last play. Don't screw it up and by god, don't text in the play.

*415 Media

To Be Continued

Showdown at KTVU: Somerville Contract Up; Will He Sign New Deal Amid KPIX Rumors; Monday Open

FRANK SOMERVILLE is the topic of conversation around the Bay Area TV News scene: why? Somerville's contract is up. No big deal he will automatically be renewed would be the logical thinking so what's all the commotion?

The word on the street is that, yes, Fox/KTVU will re-up the veteran Monday-Friday anchor --but at virtually no raise and perhaps even a cut. Somerville's annual salary is among the highest in the Bay Area at roughly $630K a year. It's a lot of money for an anchor even one as popular as Somerville but KTVU is awash in cash and still has record ratings particularly at nighttime where Frank leads the way at 6 and 10 PM. He's been at Channel 2 for over two decades.

Making matters more interesting is possible interest from other stations should Somerville want to jump ship if he doesn't get a contract that's suitable for his standing. A source close to the situation tells me one outlet that might pounce on Somerville: KPIX, CBS-owned and operated has lots of money and KPIX needs a face of the station. At the very least, a PIX offer would provide much leverage to Somerville who, I believe, would prefer to stay at KTVU and finish out his career in Oakland.

I would bet he get's a deal done --a new contract somewhere in the $700K a year frame is likely. Then again, these days nothing shocks me.

I will be on this and report back to you when there's news, or not.

Frank Somerville Defends New KTVU 4PM Newscast; Tells 415 Media Criticism Of Mibach And Arnold Not Fair; 'They're Not In The Business Just To See Themselves On TV'; Friday Opener

 Frank Somerville shot back at my report involving the lackadaisical numbers involving KTVU's new 4 PM newscast that debuted a little more than a month ago.


In the report, I quoted anonymous station sources who attributed much of the blame (early on) to anchors Mike Mibach and recent Fox2 hire, Keba Arnold.


The sources ripped both Mibach and Arnold:

       (Arnold) a Sacramento 'lightweight." In other words? "She doesn't know the market here." Just 30days in? Rough.

 

 

Same source on Mibach: "He's just coasting in here--This isn't Mornings on Two--you really have to work here --it's a newscast."

Somerville reacted to the quotes direct to 415 Media:

"I sit right next to Mike and Keba. And I really like both of them. I can tell you for a fact that they work very hard. I see it every day. I can also tell you that they care about the stories their covering. They care about the people they’re interviewing. They care about getting it right. And they’re not in this business just to see themselves on TV. Those are all qualities that I value and look for in coworkers."

I pointed out to Somerville that the sources never said anything about Arnold and Mibach not "getting it right"--just that they're obviously critical of the new duo's performance so far.


To which Somerville countered:

"Look, they called Keba a lightweight... and they implied that Mike was coasting and wasn't working hard... I'm saying I respect both of them.. and I like their work... and I listed the reasons why."

I pointed out so far, early on, I too have not had a favorable opinion of KTVU's 4 PM presentation --granted, it's way too early to gauge what's to become of its fate but results so far (by station internals) are not promising. The newscast has a very ordinary look and offers nothing of substance which, who knows, may be KTVU's intention given its FOX-owned infusion.


We'll wait and see. With AUTHORITY.




































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KGO-TV And KTVU: Anchor Cohesion Leads To Viewer Bond; Ashley/Daetz; Somerville/Haener Lead The Way; How Did KGO's Barnard Scoop The Locals With Jailhouse Interview; Sunday Media Nuggets

 FACE OF THE STATION--or faces of the station. The TEAM. At KGO-TV, it's Dan Ashley and Ama Daetz. The two have been working along side one another for over a year now and it's no coincidence that KGO dominates the evening news ratings and even more so at 11 PM.


I've grown to really like Ashley and Daetz, more to the point I like their all-important chemistry. The two look so natural and well-paired together you'd think they'd been working together for years.


Especially impressive is the fact that after the sudden departure of Carolyn Johnson to LA, many industry types predicted KGO would tank after losing one of its most popular and respected news anchors.


In fact, the transition has been smooth and orderly and the two have developed a genuine bond; something viewers have grown accustomed to and come to appreciate. The numbers don't lie.


If nothing else, Ashley, (who recently re-upped) and Daetz are recognizable as KGO's face. There's no revolving door of different people other than the off-hour newscasts. That's an important asset in local TV News.


The same situation exists at KTVU with Frank Somerville and Julie Haener on the still-vaunted "10 O'clock News," KTVU's most valued franchise and the heart and soul of its nighttime content. Certainly when you think Channel 2 (excuse me, FOX2) you think Somerville and Haener. They've been at it multiple years. And while early on, the new, Fox-infused happy talk has been front and center, KTVU continues to shine at 10 PM and a good reason why is Somerville and Haener guiding the ship. Smooth sailing.


Familiarity and identity make up key ingredients to viewer loyalty. While other stations tweak this and that; have revolving-door anchors; create confusion and offer up mixed personnel, KTVU and KGO stay the course. That seems to work well for the long term.


*That exclusive jailhouse interview scooped up by KGO's Cornell Barnard has been the talk of the town among news execs and industry people in the city. Most common question: How'd he get it? The answer is remarkably simple, according to one of my KGO spies: "He simply went to the HOJ (Hall of Justice) press office and asked if he could interview the inmate and the inmate said, "OK." Imagine that, good, hard-working journalism in action. Or like in sales, if you never ask for the sale you won't get the business.


*Most overrated anchor ever, hands down: Wendy Tokuda.


*Most underrated anchor ever, hands down: Anna Chavez.


*OK, I'm taking off the gloves: I know FOX2 has a brand to sell, I get it, but the ridiculous "WeatherAUTHORITY" logo looks stupid and reeks of gimmick-central. The FOX people should know that the Bay Area market doesn't exactly warm to visual misfits like that, get rid of it immediately.


*Yeah, it's not just you: Rosemary Orozco has been getting a lot of face time at 10 PM and it's not only because Bill Martin takes days off and vacation. Pretty simple: Orozco is prettier than Martin.


*Dear Gregg Kelley, GM, KTVU: You got a real bad union issue with your photographers. Fix it. And, oh, by the way, notice the excess amount of glitches on newscasts lately? Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.


*Lyanne Melendez: A little too smart. That's from a few of your co-workers. Frankly, I don't give a damn.


*The new weather chick at KRON has begun to receive the nightly wrath of Raddy and isn't exactly warming up to the shit which partly explains why KRON goes through weather women like I go through the lamb shanks at Tommy's Joynt.


*Speaking of STUPID: "GAAAAAAME ONNNN!"--Oh please, shut the hell up.


*And to the main sports guy at PIX: if you're going to take her (not your wife) for a drink it might be best to go to a place off the beaten path --your wife aside, how dumb can you be. GAAAAAME OFFF!


*Dear VLDC: Please, enough with the hair! Find a constant, girl, and stick with it. TRENDING!!


*Follow me on Twitter and please, if you like reading 415 Media, make a donation to this site (click on PayPal icon below) and ensure you can read the information and inside dope you won't read anywhere else. And yes, a $25 donation gets you lunch on me at Tommy's Joynt. Huzzah!

KTVU Power Anchor Couple: Somerville And Mikaelian; KTVU Website Re-Design, (Sort Of)

Frank Somerville and Gasia Mikaelian of KTVU News

 SOMERVILLE and MIKAELIAN --KTVU Website Redesign too, (meh).

I like Frank Somerville and Gasia Mikaelian of KTVU --solid pros and news anchors.

Like I said, solid, but not spectacular, which brings to focus, just who is spectacular anymore? It's a rhetorical question because I don't see it out there. Maybe I'm just some cranky bastard.

Gasia seems to get a lot of attention lately if my e-mail and your admiration society is any indication.

What is it? I'm serious. If she were Gasia Jones would you love her so much? Is it the exotic look? Like I said, I think Gasia Mikaelian is an above-average news reader but she doesn't stand out for me and I'm not in any way inferring her physical appearance has anything to do with it, (we'll, maybe slightly), --it's always subjective. Maybe someone can shed some light.

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Frank Somerville Just Said "Timmy" Five Times On KTVU During Giants Victory Parade

Something you'll see only on 2.


























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KTVU's Somerville Joins Me Live on KSCO/KOMY Radio To Talk About SFO Jetliner Crash Media Coverage; Updated: Sal Castenada and NBC BA's Raj Mathai Also on Program

One of the very best anchors in town...KTVU's lead anchor, Frank Somerville, who began working in studio moments after the Asiana 777 jetliner crash-landed at SFO and who did some stellar anchoring for eight straight hours, will be my guest on radio, today, from 1-1: 30 PM.

Here's the link to listening live or later, (a podcast will be up a few hours after the show).

UPDATE: Both Sal Castenada and NBC Bay Area's Raj Mathai will also appear on the program; Castenada, 1: 30-2PM and Mathai, from 2-2: 30 PM.

We will discuss the media coverage of the story and take your questions and comments.

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Somerville isn't the problem at KTVU

Frank Somerville is not the problem at KTVU. Not even close. He is one of the biggest assets to the station and has had a smooth transition since taking over for the retired, Dennis Richmond, almost five years ago.

I will say this: I think Frank would be better suited, (and the station too), would he be on at 6 and 10 PM as opposed to 5,6, and 10. In fact, just Tuesday, Ken Wayne and Julie Haener were paired together and provided a very solid show. No knock on Frank, (full disclosure: yes, I've had Somerville on my radio show but I've ripped him every now and then. He gets it and there's no hostility, so get over that.)

Somerville gets chided because he's a good-looking guy and knows how to read the teleprompter good, but that's just lazy. He's a very talented and capable #1 anchor and he's been at 2 Jack London Square for over twenty years. It's not Somerville. It's over-exposing him and thus, diminishing his star power. That's not good.

Some other KTVU notes---


*A lot of you hit on it too: many of KTVU's anchors are tone-deaf, almost robotic. They need to loosen up and show some element of we're here, we're human. Claudine Wong, for whatever reason, refuses or simply can't warm up or offer a smile. Maybe she's deliberately being wooden and frozen, I don't have a clue but Wong's cold shoulder is getting old.

*Mike Mibach is an acquired taste. Initially I thought he was below-average but he's grown on me, (and viewers too), and seems to have become comfortable in his weekend anchor/reporter post. He's a keeper.

*Ken Wayne: The unassuming Wayne is Channel 2's most underrated and exceptional anchor. He should be re-signed immediately but as of now, Wayne's status is up in the air. His contract expired in February and he's working without a contract, although insiders tell me a deal could be reached any day now. Hope this is the case.

*Too many weather anchors. I like Steve Paulson quite a bit and Bill Martin is steady although Martin needs to get the chip off his shoulder. He knows his stuff, that's pretty evident, but sometimes he can be far too serious. Weather is not theatre, Billy, it's the 5-day forecast and outta here. Especially here in the Bay Area where it's fairly routine stuff, (fog, sun, fog, an occasional shower, etc).

*Station GM,  Tom Raponi, known for his candid and openness to staff, would do well and even better, if he managed to become even more transparent when it came to returning calls to reporters asking about station personnel. It's not just me that's been ignored. Yo, Tommo, is e-mail better?

Thanks for not trusting me.