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TEGNA cleans house at KING - Bounds/Renner/Enersen/Byron Out

K

KMan

http://www.king5.com/news/local/den...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

So when Gannett took over KING and Sinclair took over KOMO a few years ago, the discussion on this list was about how Sinclair would be awful with KOMO and cut them to the bone.

While there have been changes there, Sinclair, surprisingly, given their national reputation, has left things mostly intact.

Gannett/TEGNA, however, has been taking hard whacks at the KING5 team and it looks like they finally decided to really clean out the cupboard.

Apparently, these vets were all offered a voluntary buy out. They're all in their sixties (or greater) and while Enersen surely would have held on to her HealthLink reports until she died, the others have most likely been toying with retirement. If a big buy out is offered ... do you take the cash or just keep working until your contrac
 
It's reported that in other markets, the TEGNA buy out was for employees over 55 with greater than 15 years service. Two weeks of salary for every year of service.

So if you're Bounds, Renner or Byron, and in your early 60s, you can sit at home for a year (or two, in Renner's case) making your contracted salary, and then start drawing social security. What a deal.
 
KMan said:
It's reported that in other markets, the TEGNA buy out was for employees over 55 with greater than 15 years service. Two weeks of salary for every year of service.

So if you're Bounds, Renner or Byron, and in your early 60s, you can sit at home for a year (or two, in Renner's case) making your contracted salary, and then start drawing social security. What a deal.
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The problem, unless you can negotiate deferred payment (which is usually impossible to do) is that all that money hits your income within one tax year so a lot of it gets right to the gubmint and you get nada.
 
TEGNA owns and operates NBC in Portland and Bangor, ME. It was mentioned that longtime weatherman Joe Cupo, who's been with WCSH-TV channel 6 of Portland since 1979, is leaving. A similar lesser deal was being reached with Steve McKay, who's been with WLBZ-TV channel 2 of Bangor for over 20 years.
 
TEGNA can hire a bunch of younger prompter-readers for legacy TV news, moving the salaries from all these long-tenured talent over to hiring 'digital group'-resources. KIRO and KOMO must be peeing themselves with the possibilities. Their Promotions Departments are probably working into the wee hours, coming up with new "trust" promos.
 
Kelly A said:
TEGNA can hire a bunch of younger prompter-readers for legacy TV news, moving the salaries from all these long-tenured talent over to hiring 'digital group'-resources. KIRO and KOMO must be peeing themselves with the possibilities. Their Promotions Departments are probably working into the wee hours, coming up with new "trust" promos.
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Pretty much.

Of the three main male anchors in Seattle, Steve Raible is by far the weakest, and he's going to be the last man standing. Unreal.

If you google TEGNA buy outs, you will see all kind of 25+ year tenured talent taking these buyouts nationwide.

Perhaps KING will pick up Allen Schauffler, who just wrapped up his duties at AJAM, to sit alongside Matsukawa on the main broadcasts... He'd probably come at a lower price than Bounds, anyways.
 
This is a good deal for the former anchors/reporters who are near retirement, but it is a bad deal for tv news in Seattle. Because their replacements will be inexperienced, (though I'm sure very pretty), and willing to work for 50 grand a year.
 
landtuna said:
The problem, unless you can negotiate deferred payment (which is usually impossible to do) is that all that money hits your income within one tax year so a lot of it gets right to the gubmint and you get nada.
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Not really. You pay the same amount in taxes whether it's deducted every pay period, or you pay it all at once. The rate is the same, based on your income and deductions.
 
KMan said:
Maybe after twenty-five years of being the #2 at KING5, and only 18 months or so of being the lead anchor, she wanted a little longer run in that position before fading away.
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The bigger question may be who will replace Dennis Bounds? Their 4pm anchor, Greg Copeland will likely be considered, but I'm not sure he is the answer. Maybe ask former KOMO star Dan Lewis if he is tired of retirement? (though his salary requirements would likely be high but anything could happen)...
 
seatownmedia said:
The bigger question may be who will replace Dennis Bounds? Their 4pm anchor, Greg Copeland will likely be considered, but I'm not sure he is the answer. Maybe ask former KOMO star Dan Lewis if he is tired of retirement? (though his salary requirements would likely be high but anything could happen)...
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As I noted in another post, the anchor with which Matsukawa has the most chemistry (and she's pretty good with Bounds) is Allen Schauffler. And Al Jazeera just closed up shop. He's certainly good enough to be the lead male anchor at KING. I also agree that Greg Copeland is not ready for prime time.

Don't be surprised if they shift Mark Wright down from mornings... but isn't he commuting down from Skagit County? Doing the evening shows would be a lot longer work day plus the silly commute than what he has now.
 
KMan said:
As I noted in another post, the anchor with which Matsukawa has the most chemistry (and she's pretty good with Bounds) is Allen Schauffler. And Al Jazeera just closed up shop. He's certainly good enough to be the lead male anchor at KING. I also agree that Greg Copeland is not ready for prime time.

Don't be surprised if they shift Mark Wright down from mornings... but isn't he commuting down from Skagit County? Doing the evening shows would be a lot longer work day plus the silly commute than what he has now.
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Two good choices indeed. I doubt KING will bring in an outsider, that isn't their style. (Though Bounds was). I could see Wright in the position. Interesting to see how these changes transpire, and who will replace Renner?
 
seatownmedia said:
doubt KING will bring in an outsider, that isn't their style. (Though Bounds was).
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Bounds cut his teeth on the morning news for a couple of years while Barry Judge (another outsider) held down the fort in the evenings. When he shifted to prime time, he'd already been around the station and had filled in along side Enersen.
 
KMan said:
Bounds cut his teeth on the morning news for a couple of years while Barry Judge (another outsider) held down the fort in the evenings. When he shifted to prime time, he'd already been around the station and had filled in along side Enersen.
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I was out of the market for several years during this era, so thanks for "filling in" the era. Barry Judge...yes, an outsider who never clicked with Seattle viewers. Bounds, though has enough years to become a Seattle vet. I really wonder if he has another affiliate in him. I think he does.
 
seatownmedia said:
I was out of the market for several years during this era, so thanks for "filling in" the era. Barry Judge...yes, an outsider who never clicked with Seattle viewers. Bounds, though has enough years to become a Seattle vet. I really wonder if he has another affiliate in him. I think he does.
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I was just a kid then, though I do remember him.

A few clips are around of him on the internet (https://youtu.be/OI7skPZJJZU - Note the opening shot of the set, Matsukawa was in for Jean, Paul Silvi was in for Carlos Del Valle, and Jeff Renner was in his normal spot. The only one not there today, Barry Judge)... definitely had an old school anchor style and great pipes. After Seattle he did about a year in Spokane and then never really resurfaced. Must have really burned bridges at KING.
 
KING5 has not been the same since the Bullitt family sold and a succession of uncaring (except for the bottom line) East Coast monster corporations ran the show. It's to their credit that quality journalists like Enersen, Bounds, Renner, and Brill have stuck it out
 
nickp said:
KING5 has not been the same since the Bullitt family sold and a succession of uncaring (except for the bottom line) East Coast monster corporations ran the show. It's to their credit that quality journalists like Enersen, Bounds, Renner, and Brill have stuck it out
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Everyone waxes poetically about the Bullitts but they've been out of the picture for over 25 years.

KINGs identity and market leading position came after Bob Jordan cleaned things up in the early 1990s, and their succession of owners, including Belo, left well enough alone. KING was far and above the others as far as talent, presentation, and journalistic quality for the entirety of the Providence Journal and Belo ownership eras.
 
This is completely unexpected. Another crappy decision by Tegna. They are cheapsuckers who only want 25-year-old monotone anchors and reporters at their stations, right out of market #150. Less $$$ the better. I wish Dennis, Jean, Linda and Jeff all the best. What legends at the station. Dorothy Bullitt must be rolling in her grave.
Sure won't be watching KING-5 News if I am in the Seattle area anymore. I'll stick it out with KIRO and Raible, even with a new set. Rumors are that the old KIRO set went to KNDO/KNDU here in central Washington. It is similar, except they plaster the Seattle stuff out obviously, with the NBC logo.
 
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