Seattle Weather Guy indeed to replace Gonzales as 'Primary' Anchor at KPIX; Gonzales Likely to Stay in Different Time Slot; UPDATE

Per Newsblues, (paywall), the story is accurate: Paul Deanno, a Seattle weather reporter, will replace Roberta Gonzales as the primary weather anchor at KPIX.

I reported that. It's not a "rumor."

Reliable sources in Seattle told Newsblues Deanno's contract has been "signed, sealed, and delivered."

The headline accompanying the Gonzales story indicating she was "out", was misleading. My bad. Indeed she is out as the chief weather anchor during the weeknight schedule at 5, 6, and 11 PM on PIX's newscasts. She could be moved to either a new time slot, perhaps the weekend, maybe morning weekday, don't know yet but await word. (See Update below).

UPDATE: Gonzales has NOT hired a lawyer, according to a source close to her. The source added: "She has no legal issues with management. They wish to retain her and ink a new deal."

I'm a big Roberta fan. I think this move is a mistake given her enormous popularity with viewers across a wide variety of demos, young, old, female and male alike. She is a four-time Emmy winner and is well liked by most of her colleagues at the office.

But in the reality of the new local TV business model--which also affects highly-paid air talent, (and Gonzales makes a lot of money), her compensation has been measured by higher-ups. She's probably going to stay at the station, albeit in a different time and a little less coin. We'll see how that works out. I hope for the best.

I've made repeated requests to Gonzales for comment. A PIX source told me that they're trying to work out a new deal.



*Follow me on Twitter