Major Decisions Loom at Bay Area TV News Stations; Bastida Future Murky at KPIX; Ashley Extension KGO Front Burner; Goodrich MVP Invites Intriguing Speculation; Pam Moore is Looking Around (Sort of) at KRON; KTVU Doom and Gloom; Holmes and Haener: Would Anyone Care or Notice If they Left? Overrated Nothing Yenta, Kate Scott; Cover For Bay Area Sports Horny Male Media Pugs; Thursday Rundown

BIG DECISIONS LOOM for some Bay Area TV News stations; among them...

* At KPIX, there are a myriad of issues on the plate; the uncertainty; the chaos; the lack of viewing numbers in the morning; those are just trivial in comparison to the future of longtime, Bay Area native and evening anchor, Ken Bastida.

Bastida's status at PIX remains murky at best. He has been at 855 Battery for almost three decades but time has not been gracious to the veteran news reader. Bastida is just average on most nights and when he's not average he can be painful to watch; ad-libbing was never his biggest strongpoint and now, he's almost embarrassingly inadequate. Moreover, CBS isn't in the mood for paying going rate for mid-to-high market money for a guy late in his prime and whose "it" factor long ago left the news screen. In other words, Bastida doesn't generate the buzz he used to albeit in an industry that doesn't possess the status it once held either. That said, local TV News, here and beyond, still garners significant revenue even with declining viewership.

Ken Bastida: future murky at KPIX

Bastida makes in the mid $500K range, a significant number even today and is under contract until the end of the year. Word is that he might be tempted to take a company buyout and retire. I don't think CBS would extend him such kind of money and even if they did he'd most likely have to take a significant pay cut.

We should know sooner rather then later.

*KGO-TV management hasn't officially begun negotiations with ace veteran news anchor and star reader, Dan Ashley, in spite of his impending contract closure next year. By all indications, a deal will get done simply because KGO needs Ashley more then Ashley needs KGO. That doesn't mean a deal is front and center on the plate of the big suits at ABC7 but it should be. KGO can't afford another Carolyn Johnson embarrassment and lose one of its most valuable anchors. The Johnson loss still haunts KGO today and losing Ashley, who has offers on the table from back east outlets, could make for another departure and leave the ABC O and O in dark waters.

Dan Ashley: new contract looming at KGO

This much is certain: Ashley, according to sources at 900 Front wants to remain in the Bay Area. He has family here and is comfortable. On some days, he works an astounding 5 shows a night (4,5,6, 9, and 11 PM) He is an extremely hard worker and the face of ABC7. He is mostly well-liked and admired by his peers. He is the highest-paid anchor in the Bay Area and deservedly so. And deservedly so, he would like to be paid in accordance with that status. Disney is not known for lavishing big bucks to even its most prized talent even someone in a larger market but Ashley might be the exception. I've heard a three-year extension somewhere north or south of $2M is destined to be offered to Ashley, probably with a few option years. That sounds just about right.

Pam Moore

*Mass confusion at KRON: what else is new? Plus, rumors are very strong about Pam Moore leaving and looking for suitors. Moore, my contacts tell me, is still quite comfortable at the lowly albatross in spite of significant departures by key personnel including EPs and anchors like Gary Radnich and Stanley Roberts. Those are not earthshaking developments and the station is not going to hemorrhage but whatever star appeal KRON possessed, it has lost two of its most popular air talents (although with Radnich, it was KRON MGT that gave Raddy an ultimatum he rejected and was summarily dismissed)

Moore could be a valuable asset for someone like a KNTV (maybe) or more prominently, KTVU, which ironically allowed Ken Wayne to trudge to KRON. Moore has a strong Bay Area identity especially with women and women of color at that. She makes in the neighborhood of $300K a-year. She's not actively working the negotiation trail with others but she's made it know through friends that she would definitely listen to offers. Stay tuned.

Juliette Goodrich: MVP of Bay Area TV News

*MVP on the loose and could be had for the right money: PIX's underrated Juliette Goodrich is quite comfortable reading news on the anchor desk during the weekend and reporting in the field during the week. That said, she is too valuable a commodity in her current role. KPIX seems to take her for granted and I wouldn't be surprised if someone out of the blue swooped in and offered Goodrich a primetime anchor weekday shift. Goodrich is not just a pretty face; she's a damned good news reader and commands the screen. She could easily be a #1 anchor in LA or NY but she has kids here and doesn't want to leave the Bay Area. That said, a Goodrich departure from PIX would not surprise me because she's simply too good to be wasted on the weekend. Watch this closely.

Holmes (l) and Haener

*KTVU staff manning the daytime computers resenting 415 Media could be better spent laying out the various 4-5 thousand grievances on display (and not on display) at Fox-owned Channel 2 which seems to have a new controversy everyday. The station with revolving anchors and out-of-place reporters somehow, to their credit, carry on in an environment that at best could be called troublesome. There is no mojo at KTVU; there is quite a bit of uncertainty and weary staffers afraid of a management that rules by intimidation and force. (Just the other day, an intern was read the riot act and screamed at in the newsroom because the person was a minute late on getting info from an email to the assignment desk) YOU WANT TO SEE GLOOM? Take a look at KTVU anchors especially at night. Frank Somerville is sullen because he has a bevy of issues off the scenes and is trying his best to squelch rumors; Bill Martin can't wait to leave the station at night and become a kid at Disneyland when he's in his car leaving. Watch him forecast, you'll see. Mark Ibanez just recently signed a three-year extension in March but is sick to death when he enters the studio and reads the sports copy. Julie Haener has now been exposed for the lightweight she is as serving as Somerville's gossip-filled caddy who couldn't ad-lib if her life depended on it. Heather Holmes continues to advance the miniskirt doctrine and shout "hey, I know I'm big here and although I'm sort of out of place, find me a home. Somewhere! Anywhere!"

Holmes and Haener could just as soon be senior saleswomen at the Macys cosmetics counter where they would be more valuable. Shocking? Harsh? You want the truth and you got it. Feel otherwise? Ask yourself this question: if BOTH Holmes and Haener were to vacate KTVU would anyone notice? Would anyone care? I rest my case.

*That angry KCBS sports anchor at night went berserk when he failed to get his copy ready for the 8: 15 sports update. Good news: less of him means peace in the neighborhood hell he SCREAMS every time he reports.

Karma is a bitch: if the guy stopped talking behind people's back (including yours truly) these things may not take place.

*KGO Radio: talk about uncertainty. There is no formal plan evident yet. Same old tired format --basically, they've punted any concrete new idea and haven't a clue as to what they wanna do which is par for the course.

Still trying to find out the ID of the lame brain ditz that turned down a Bob Woodward phone interview.

*Someone at night at KNBR supposedly got the heave-ho which is good news for Uber --more drivers. Maybe had he cut the "what-up" shit he'd be getting his $15 an hour.

*Kristen Sze: so much potential; so much looming large; a mini, bigger-than-market woman; KGO royalty. Sad now because so much is lost. Practice what you preach. Don't offer the world and produce Melba toast. Without any butter no less.

*"I'm Julie Chen-Moonves." Yeah, I'm sure money has not an iota to do with that.

The GAAS! (l) and Alyana Gomez

*Alyana Gomez and GAASian Mikaelian: birds of a feather...

*There's a rumor at KTVU that Gasia would host the new morning quiz show, "Chirping for dollars." I'm kidding of course but these days, why the hell not?

*Tough night on the street for Amber Lee who actually did her report without looking at notes. Praise the Lord!

*Melanie Woodrow Update: she hasn't stalked any man as of this writing.

*Dennis O'Donnell: Akron is waiting.

*A famous PR woman (she requested anonymity via email) went to KTVU to drop off a packet to one of the station's more higher profile female reporters: PR woman tells me she was flabbergasted when said woman blurted out, "you don't know my name?" Take a wild guess who. Think ex-KGO temptress. Bingo.

*Roberta Gonzales: hey, I'm not the one who posted a picture of myself on social media! And besides, there was nothing wrong with that photo, just all your ass' warped sense of humor so don't give me shit, take a cold shower too.

*Randy Hahn: priceless.

*Duane Kuiper: massively overrated.

*Ray Fosse: too much homer stuff beginning to sound like Monte Moore's ghost. More Dallas Braden, less 'Foss.

Randy Hahn

*Chris Townsend: lucky to have family money as a back-up.

*Brent Musburger: horndog with a microphone; perfect for Vegas. Just keep him away from the cheerleaders.

*Ted Robinson: I like and appreciate steady over fake theatrics.

*Larry Krueger: the guy is such a poser plus talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Kate Scott: just why?

*Kate Scott: a nothing-burger with mayo and butter on the seedless bun. What a complete waste of time; she gets points though for exploiting the horny sports guys who she gives cover to: "Gees, she's hot!, she's blond!, she's even gay!" Let's kiss her ass because, well, we have to.

Scott would be better served being the day waitress at a Ruth's Chris, I'll say it again: she adds NOTHING to a broadcast. She is vanilla pudding. She is Wonder Bread with a capital W and she exudes about as much interest as week-old toe fungus.

She's lucky to have enablers like Bruce Jenkins wax poetically about her "greatness", whatever the hell that is and is proof positive of a PC world run amok.

She'd be barely passable in Bakersfield. Wait a minute!

You want the truth, you got the truth.

Now put on a happy face.

Radnich Ultimatum to Lee Hammer; 'Either Me Or Her'; KNBR Morning Star War With Kate Scott Reaches Boiling Point

 Seems the 9-Noon Knibber has read the riot act to Program Director, Lee Hammer: Either me or her!


Gary Radnich is quietly steaming, boiling, in fact over the prominence of traffic/sports updater, Kate Scott.


The two may sound lovey-dovey on the air but off the air, the relationship is tepid at best.


"The fact that she's getting a whole lot of attention annoys the hell out of him--Gary is used to being the star and he resents being her foot stool, " says a KNBR staffer.


Radnich has a history of behaving badly to people he senses are threats. Scott is no threat by any means but her presence on the air has been greatly upgraded and that clearly has Radnich fuming.


Not helping matters: the bristling two reached epic proportions when Scott has received, A. his coveted parking pass. B. her new gig on NBC Bay Area, C. complimentary food from one of SF's most storied restaurants!


Stay tuned, this could be interesting.


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Kate Scott lands TV Sports Gig at NBC Bay Area, (KNTV)

 **Kate Scott heads to NBC Bay Area**


Kate Scott begins anchoring at KNTV on most Saturdays and will contribute on its morning newscast.


Whether or not she's leaving "Murph and Mac" at KNBR is not known now but we'll explore. Remember it was here at 415 Media that we reported that Scott was secretly auditioning for a TV gig at KGO-TV. That didn't work out apparently due to budget constraints.


Here's the memo I got from ND, Jonathan Mitchell announcing the move to staff:


I’d also like to welcome Kate Scott.  Kate will anchor sports on most Saturdays from the Comcast Sports Net Studios and contribute daily on our Morning Newscast. Many of you may know Kate from her work on “Murph and Mac” in the morning on KNBR.  She’s been anchoring sports and traffic on the show since 2011.  Kate is also the sideline reporter for the San Jose Earthquakes on CSN. 


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Kate Scott The Rising, Biggest Star at KNBR; Lavish Foods Delivered; VIP Status; Special Parking Place; Wednesday Big Start

  Kate Scott owns KNBR. Well, no she really doesn't but if those worker bees in and around the 55 Hawthorne studios are telling me the truth, the sports/traffic update reporter has become so big she's been spreading her wings and doing it large over the entire Cumulus 415 operation.


Scott hasn't exactly reached diva status but those in the know say her aura has reached crisis proportions. "She's become the star here; at least in her own mind," says a Knibber staffer with deft sarcasm. How much a star? "Bigger than Radnich--plus, she's not afraid to tell you!"


Indeed Scott, an avowed lesbian and the subject matter of plenty of on-air hijinks, has already become a super-VIP member in the eyes of SF's Cumulous managers and bosses.


Like Michael Savage, Scott gets an "special" VIP parking spot with her name set to be inked in on the prized underground parking garage. Scott has her own card key into the building and is provided her own secret/VIP studio to perform prep and is awarded special Italian sodas and teas before going on the air at 5 AM on KNBR's Morning Show." Speaking of the devil...


How BIG is Scott? Big enough to get, and only Savage is provided this perk, a deluxe meal chit that is delivered to the studios. While other staffers and Morning Show schlock's rely on mere Dunkin Donuts morsels, Scott gets VIP food hand-cooked by some of the city's star chefs. Eggs Benedict one morning, Belgian Waffles the next. Coffee/tea? More than you'd imagine and freshly-squeezed orange juice too! We won't even discuss the money because, frankly, we're shocked. It's pointed to the north on the KNBR compass.


Scott's success is large enough to have caused a mini-jealousy storm of epic proportions, including those down in the food chain including Murph and Mac themselves. Nobody wants to speak on the record but reports indicate that Scott, a huge Cal alum and lover of the Berkeley sports apparatus has engaged in verbal jarring with a startled Brian Murphy who loves to root for rival UCLA! Baaaaad! Many key KNBR staff were surprised how passionate Scott was recently when she confronted the brazen Bruin fan off -air and essentially told him to knock it off. According to several insiders, "it wasn't pretty." Lively, apparently, "like they were totally into this 'who's superior thing"! I mean, dude, it was completely shaky."


Scott is normally mild-mannered, even-keeled if you will, but her star residue has become so pervasive Larry Baer and the Giants are contemplating a special day for her. Amy G? You might have some competition running your way! Watch out for the USS Kate Scott!


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More KRON/KGO SSA Bottom Line; The Kate Scott Skinny Devoid Of Political Correctness; Why KGO-TV Has Been Doing Shows From The Newsroom; Tuesday Nuggets

 Funny how the minor-leaguers come out from under their shell to try in vein to spin a story they know pretty much speaks for itself.

As reported here first, KRON will vacate its 1001 Van Ness building and is headed across town to 900 Front, the site of KGO-TV, (ABC7).

KRON's corporate owner, Media General/Young insists "no staffing changes are expected as a result of the move."


Yeah, and I'm Carolyn Johnson.


Execute some common sense here. Read the room. These changes on the horizon allow Media General to eventually lay off staff, particularly tech positions like engineering, production, sales, etc. While KRON will have its own newsroom and studio, their on-air content will be enhanced by the presence of KGO personnel. It's precisely that element that worries rank and file KRON workers who are most concerned about the matter. And who could blame them.


**Let's state for the record: I have zero, ZERO, nada, nothing personally against Kate Scott, the KNBR tonsil who is about to embark on some TV sports anchor work at KGO. Just because I don't care for her work doesn't make me a misogynist or some woman hater--in fact, the irony is that I'd bet Scott would be far better on TV than radio where she says absolutely nothing and is somehow held to high esteem by a bunch of rank flunkies.


Scott, if nothing else, is smart. She's been able to maneuver her cutesy, good-girl, gender-enhanced status into a parlay of jobs in spite of the fact that she's a lightweight with a segment of horny males glued to her persona with false cover given her openness about being gay. Golly gee, how revolutionary, imagine that!


If Scott were truly talented, like say a Lisa Salters, an Andrea Kramer, she'd have major cachet in this corner and beyond the 415. Instead, she's treated like a female God here simply because most of the women media members in this market are so awful, (see: Amy G).


To be more specific, Scott doesn't break any new ground. She simply follows the handbook and comes off, (on radio at least), as the reasonable one to Radnich's wise ass act. It's not ground-breaking in any way, there's no IT! factor whatsoever; tell me one thing that Scott has said that has even an iota of substance? Her many "nobody cares" is a blatant rip-off of Radnich's line and her frequent sexual innuendo riffs are a bit hypocritical given her own status. So much for the Gloria Steinem card.


You may not agree with what I said but there's a whole bunch of you that know what the hell I'm talking about and are thrilled.


**More KGO-TV: The reason KGO has been broadcasting their newscasts from the newsroom is because their studio lighting in undergoing some fine-tuning and maintenance. And that takes time to get it right, so says a KGO mole.


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******************************************************************************

Exclusive: Kate Scott Soon To Be KGO-TV Sports Anchor; KNBR Tonsil on Watkowski Radar

 Kate Scott, currently doing something of significance at KNBR if you believe in miracles, has been auditioning over at KGO-TV, (ABC7) to presumably become a sports anchor, according to one of my Circle7 spies.


Scott's been on KGO's ND, Tracey Watkowski, radar for "quite a while." A hiring could be imminent. Scott has done some TV work for Comcast, locally.


M-F sports anchor, Larry Beil is safe. Mike Shumann, the weekend guy needn't worry. But Rick Quan, formerly of KPIX and a fill in, might be the odd man out.


Good for Scott. Maybe she could become relevant on TV and be the next Karna Small.


Freaking Awesome, dude! Or Nobody cares? You be the judge.


#RL 415 Media Exclusive


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