• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

KIRO-7

seatownmedia said:
While this is huge news, it wasn't unexpected. Raible is 65.

The bigger question is does KIRO move Wagner up, or do they hire someone new? (or a combination of both?)
Click to expand...

I'm certain they move Wagner up. He's outstanding.


Meanwhile, Raible retires after 26 years as a main anchor at KIRO. In that time he had exactly two regular co-anchors he really worked well with - Susan Hutchison and Monique Ming-Laven.

It's too bad he didn't have either of them as his partner for longer, in the prime of his career.
 
And so the last 'main' weeknight anchor that I grew up with says goodbye. Sad day, but still happy for him and his family. Knew it would come very soon when he stepped down from full-time. I am guessing that KIRO will do some type of big farewell broadcast when the time comes later this spring.

On the other hand, may he continue to happily scream "TOUCHDOWNNNNNNNNNNNNN....SEAHAWKS!!!" for many more years to come on our AM and FM radios.
 
KMan said:
I'm certain they move Wagner up. He's outstanding.


Meanwhile, Raible retires after 26 years as a main anchor at KIRO. In that time he had exactly two regular co-anchors he really worked well with - Susan Hutchison and Monique Ming-Laven.

It's too bad he didn't have either of them as his partner for longer, in the prime of his career.
Click to expand...

He also anchored with Angela Russell for a couple-three years. I didn't think they were a bad team...
 
seatownmedia said:
He also anchored with Angela Russell for a couple-three years. I didn't think they were a bad team...
Click to expand...

Awful. Of the three between Hutchison and Monique, Margo Myers was the best. Kristy Lee and Angela Russell were just awful, and particularly bad with Raible.
 
Yeah, he didn't do so bad with Margo, but 7 hasn't always been at the top of the ratings. Steve just went through co-anchors like weekly garbage pickup; while several blocks away at Fisher Plaza the late Kathi Goertzen and Dan Lewis stuck with each other until the tumor took her. It didn't help with Susan's controversial exit out of 7.
 
crainbebo said:
It didn't help with Susan's controversial exit out of 7.
Click to expand...

Well ... she left on her own after she was replaced, and then sued for age discrimination.

KIRO in the late 90s, early 00s had a line up, that was just incredible. Raible, Hutchison, Wappler, and Ventrella.

In that line up, Raible was the weakest link. And he outlasted them all.
 
Yes, kind of ironic in that sense. KIRO has a big opening to step up right now. Wagner is very good but perhaps another high profile anchor is needed to get them to the next level.

I think they should bring back the classic cbs enforcer music and go back to “eyewitness news” for imaging.
 
I've said it before, but I can probably hear that old CBS Enforcer music in my sleep...it was such a great fit at that station. Too bad the old v/o guy (Chris Corley) passed away last year. I can also hear his deep voiced promos in my head too...
 
KIRO has always been the runner-up in Seattle tv news though they did well for a short stretch in the 80’s when they went a bit “sensational”. I like that they still compete hard. Cox, or Apollo, will need to budget this station to compete in a very competitive market. Will be interesting to see how they evolve with a main anchor departing.
 
seatownmedia said:
KIRO has always been the runner-up in Seattle tv news though they did well for a short stretch in the 80’s when they went a bit “sensational”. I like that they still compete hard. Cox, or Apollo, will need to budget this station to compete in a very competitive market. Will be interesting to see how they evolve with a main anchor departing.
Click to expand...

Or they can try to build a decent, hard working team and watch the competition fall apart (not so vague reference to KING).

But, on a more serious note, they have some flexibility given that Raible was probably making a rather large salary. They can probably hire two really decent anchors -- perhaps one to be a decent weekend co-anchor and one for weekday evenings (either to replace Steve or back up Dave).
 
Not to go to too far off-topic. I'm curious to know if there have been any surveys (not ratings) or focus groups about what draws people in to watch local news. I used to be a loyal KING viewer but in the past three to four years I just can't connect with the anchors, reporters or the approach to stories they cover. Same is true for KOMO. KIRO and KCPQ on the other hand have the "it" factor for me. I find the anchors more genuine, the depth of coverage of stories is stronger and weather is more accurate. I do think there are far more stories that affect each and everyone one of our lives that should be covered by our local television media (I'd make the same argument for newspapers as well). Back on topic, Steve's retirement is a loss and I too hope Dave Wagner gets elevated as he is true TV pro.
 
DMK said:
Not to go to too far off-topic. I'm curious to know if there have been any surveys (not ratings) or focus groups about what draws people in to watch local news.
Click to expand...
News consultants typically recommend doing a market analysis and focus group around every four years. Some groups do them more or less often.

DMK said:
I used to be a loyal KING viewer but in the past three to four years I just can't connect with the anchors, reporters or the approach to stories they cover. Same is true for KOMO. KIRO and KCPQ on the other hand have the "it" factor for me. I find the anchors more genuine, the depth of coverage of stories is stronger and weather is more accurate.
Click to expand...

It's all a personal taste thing. Just as with radio, the secret sauce is trying to come up with a balance that reaches more eyeballs within the desired demographic. KING's parent TEGNA, has made the effort to skew younger, gradually replacing all the legacy anchors around the country with lower-paid Millennial's that are able to multitask in the traditional and digital world.

Regarding weather forecasting: Unlike the East Coast, the PNW is one of the most difficult places to do accurate forecasts. Between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, weather moves in to the area less predictably, than after it's traveled 3,000 miles. Keep in mind too, that all the stations in the market get the exact same weather data, and most even have the same weather graphics and forecasting system. It's all about the delivery and perceived personality of the presenter.
 
Kelly A said:
Regarding weather forecasting: Unlike the East Coast, the PNW is one of the most difficult places to do accurate forecasts. Between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, weather moves in to the area less predictably, than after it's traveled 3,000 miles. Keep in mind too, that all the stations in the market get the exact same weather data, and most even have the same weather graphics and forecasting system. It's all about the delivery and perceived personality of the presenter.
Click to expand...

This is why, historically the other differentiator has been the experience of the weather talent.

In a big storm, KING5 historically was the go to station with Renner and Marriott. Those two guys would take the NWS forecast fed to them, and then use their own experience to either explain it or modify it.

You'll still see Marriott say "the NWS forecast - or UW forecast says X, however, when I look at it, I think Y or Z is also a possibility."

I'd have to think that that kind of experience resonates with viewers.
 
DMK said:
Not to go to too far off-topic. I'm curious to know if there have been any surveys (not ratings) or focus groups about what draws people in to watch local news. I used to be a loyal KING viewer but in the past three to four years I just can't connect with the anchors, reporters or the approach to stories they cover. Same is true for KOMO. KIRO and KCPQ on the other hand have the "it" factor for me. I find the anchors more genuine, the depth of coverage of stories is stronger and weather is more accurate. I do think there are far more stories that affect each and everyone one of our lives that should be covered by our local television media (I'd make the same argument for newspapers as well). Back on topic, Steve's retirement is a loss and I too hope Dave Wagner gets elevated as he is true TV pro.
Click to expand...

Too bad KIRO and KCPQ are the two big 4 Seattle stations NOT carried on cable in Ellensburg. I don't watch KOMO because Sinclair has ruined the station. The moment I saw Bottom Line with Boris Epshteyn during their 5:00 news, I quit watching them. I hate Sinclair and how they shove must-runs (i.e. Kristine Frazao, James Rosen, Spotlight on America) and commentaries up their station's butts. If I want a commentary on KOMO, it should be The Best of Ken Schram. Sister station KIMA Yakima looks even worse - half of the 5:00 news is must-runs and out-of-market crap. I don't bother watching them either.

KING is looking better with Joyce & Mark, and looks more traditional with the nighttime shot of Downtown Seattle at the desk. Can't wait to see more of Rebecca Stevenson at the WX desk now that Jordan's out.

I've seen some of Dave Wagner's skills on the KIRO livestream and he's very good, but it will be interesting to fill Steve's shoes.
 
seatownmedia said:
Yes, kind of ironic in that sense. KIRO has a big opening to step up right now.

I think they should bring back the classic cbs enforcer music and go back to “eyewitness news” for imaging.
Click to expand...

Good Lord. Hey, how about creating an Augmented Reality version of Walter Cronkite back from the grave that will say: "That's the way it is..." at every newscast close? I'm sure that will be a ratings juggernaut for viewers 60+.
 
Kelly A said:
Good Lord. Hey, how about creating an Augmented Reality version of Walter Cronkite back from the grave that will say: "That's the way it is..." at every newscast close? I'm sure that will be a ratings juggernaut for viewers 60+.
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark! Thanks for the laugh Kelly. Now get off my lawn!
 
Last edited:
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom