Will the last person leaving KNWN radio, please turn out the lights!
The October Nielsen ratings show KNWN Radio has been struggling with a 2.2 audience rating, compared to KUOW at 7.6.
Now, this…
Radio Insight reports “as many as nine staffers have exited the station, mostly in reporter and producer roles as the company ‘looks to streamline operating expenses.’”
Those confirmed as shown the door include Carleen Johnson, a 25-year veteran reporter who first joined KOMO/Fisher in 1998. She writes on X (Twitter), “Friends, I no longer work at KNWN (formerly KOMO) radio. After more than 25-years I’m off to unknown new endeavors…
Also out is veteran reporter Corwin Haeck, who noted on Facebook that all reporter positions were eliminated:
“Well, whatta ya know. Friday marks my last day as a radio news reporter. I had been planning to retire sometime in the coming months, but had not yet announced it. Instead, the station made the decision for me…by LAYING ME OFF along with every other reporter on staff! I kid you not. After 19.5 years and two ownership changes, they’ve sent me packing. Jeez…where’s my gold watch?”
“I’ve been told that lasting nearly 20 years in a single radio job makes me almost a unicorn. If so, there were a herd of them at KOMO (currently KNWN) radio. Much of our tight-knit newsroom had been there as long as me or longer. I’ll miss working with them all. It’s a shame our new owners decided, after only 18 months, that a dip in revenue warranted these draconian measures. I’ve heard they plan to continue as a 24-hour local news station. I’m curious to see how they manage it without reporters.”
Other staffers to confirm their departures include reporters Ryan Harris, John Lobertini, morning sports anchor Eric Heintz and editor/anchor Kathi O’Shea and evening anchor Kelly Bleyer. Harris got his pink slip just days after returning from a funeral in California for his mother.
Brian Calvert, Rick Van Cise, Taylor Van Cise, Frank Lenzi and Jeff Pohjola will remain on staff. Rick is the PD. Frank Lenzi is the ND.
Marina Rockinger moves over to sister station Star 101.5 KPLZ.No changes at 570 KVI…so far.
The line-up at KNWN:
First Light
Mon – Fri: 02:00 AM – 03:00 AM & 04:00 AM – 04:30 AM
America in the Morning
Mon – Fri: 03:00 AM – 04:00 AM
Morning News with Manda Factor and Brian Calvert
Mon – Fri: 05:00 AM – 09:00 AM
Afternoon News with Rick Van Cise
Mon – Fri: 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM
Afternoon News with Rick Van Cise & Kim Shepard
Mon – Fri: 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Kim Shepard
Mon – Fri: 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Recognize many names. Sorry for them. Best wishes to all of them.
They used to be called “housecleanings” and I was in two of them, at KAYO and KMPS.
We weren’t laid off, we were fired. We found new jobs.
How many stations/frequencies have never changed staffs and/or formats?
I’ve been on the other side too. When I worked at the Real Country Network, every time we signed up a new affiliate, people got fired.
This does not bode well for the future of this station under the current format. Would Lotus consider combining the best of KVI/KNWN to compete with KIRO FM?
Thanks to a couple QZVX friends for details on this story. 🙂