BY JOHN SULYK

CLICK HERE FOR CG's REVIEW OF SEATTLE TV



KOMO-TV / Channel 4 / ABC
Fisher Broadcasting's "Komo 4" is a pretty good ABC affiliate. The news is good with an okay set that features full size panels of Mt. Rainer and the Seattle skyline. One of the best things about KOMO is "Northwest Afternoon", a locally produced daily variety show. They are also expanding it's downtown studios.




KING-TV / Channel 5 / NBC
Belo's "King 5" is a very good NBC affiliate. The news set is okay with a national news feel. Their slogan is "Number One In Western Washington" assuming they have the top-rated news in the market. KING is the king of local production in Seattle. They have "Evening Magazine" which is a locally produced tabloid show that airs weekdays at 7:00PM. They have a show called "Almost Live" which is a local version of "Saturday Night Live"! Pretty cool, huh? Their logo is kind of strange with K that has three dots on top of it to symbolize a crown and the number 5.




KIRO-TV / Channel 7 / CBS
Cox's "Kiro 7" is a very proffesional looking CBS affiliate. They have the best news set and a pretty sleek advertising campaign. Besides excellent local news, they also air Mariners games.




KCTS-TV / Channel 9 / PBS
Although I didn't see local production on KCTS, I am sure they have a lot of it. I could sense KCTS has a larger budget than most PBS stations.




KSTW-TV / Channel 11 / UPN
"UPN 11" has to be the best Paramount O/O I have seen. Their 10:00 PM newscast has the best graphics in the market and some of the best anywhere. They air vintage sitcoms during the AM, but air highly rated sitcoms in the evening which is promoted as the "UPN 11 Humor Mill". Humor Mill programs include "Home Improvement", "Frasier" and "Seinfeld".




KCPQ-TV / Channel 13 / FOX
"Q 13, FOX" is often hard to get without cable since it's transmitter is located on an island in Puget Sound. The studio is fully digital with a new 30 minute 10:00 PM newscast which is good considering how new the operation is. The FOX lead-in should also help the newscast to beat KSTW. The set is plain, yet modern with a blue background and a huge version of the Q 13 logo behind the anchors. There is talk Tribune wants to buy the station. Why? They already own KTZZ! Could the frog be hopping his way over to Channel 13?




KONG-TV / Channel 16 / Ind.
"Kong 6/16" is controlled by KING. That means KING is located on channel 5 and KONG is located on channel 6 on cable. All of KONG's local production, including news, is produced by KING. Other than news, KONG also airs vintage sitcoms and talk shows.




KTBW-TV / Channel 20 / TBN
A 24 hour religous station that has one locally produced show at 11:00 on Sundays that features the local church Life Center. Otherwise, a typical low budget religious station.




KTZZ-TV / Channel 22 / WB
Tribune's "WB 22" is a standard WB station. While they don't air local production, they do have facilities that could easily provide it.




KBTC-TV / Channel 28 / PBS
I have never seen KBTC, but I think the station belongs to Bates Technical College in Tacoma who also owns a radio station which also sports the KBTC calls.




KWPX-TV / Channel 33 / PAX
Just a standard PAX station. Re-runs of family-friendly fare with no local production.




KHCV-TV / Channel 45 / (New)
The station is in the testing stage. I am assuming it is owned by USA who will place home shopping on the channel.




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