Chris Costa joins KHOU 11

WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 Multimedia Journalist/Anchor Chris Costa joins KHOU 11 as MMJ


NEWS CENTER Maine Media - WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 Multimedia Journalist/Anchor Chris Costa has joined Tegna sister-station KHOU as a multimedia journalist.

He has been in Maine since 2015.

Before that, he spent time in Texas.

KAGS College Station, Texas
Anchor/Producer/MMJ
December 2014 – July 2015

KAGS College Station, Texas
Multimedia Journalist/Fill-in Anchor/Producer (News/Sports)
August 2013 – July 2015

BUTV10 Boston, Massachusetts
"OffSides" Executive Producer/Anchor/Reporter
September 2010 – May 2013

7 NEWS, WHDH Boston, Massachusetts
Sports Intern
September 2011 – January 2012

WCVB Boston, Massachusetts
Sports Intern
May 2011 – September 2011

The Newton, MA native graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University's College of Communication in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast.

TX Radio Hall of Famer on new Houston online station

Houston Radio Platinum started in May of 2019, and features the best soft rock of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s offering listeners something different that they can’t get anywhere else.

The station launched its new morning show with Houston radio legend Johnny Goyen.

Goyen is no stranger to the Houston Radio Market spending time on KFMK, KRBE, KYOK, and KIKK in Houston.

Join Goyen from 6-10 AM, seven days a week on HoustonRadioPlatinum.com.

“We are thrilled to have Johnny as part of our team! He’s a perfect fit, and we look forward to what he has to offer our online station,” stated Joseph Kovacik, President of JPD Entertainment Services, LLC.

In November, Goyen will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall Of Fame in Kilgore, TX.

Solid Gold Sunday

Every Sunday Night the online station features the best songs of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s on “Solid Gold Sunday” with Andy Waldrop.

Waldrop is a familiar voice on Houston Radio having been heard on KSHN, KIKK, KSBJ, and helping you navigate the Houston freeways on traffic services throughout Houston.

“Andy’s show has such an awesome following of people…and it’s a perfect fit on our station,” added Kovacik.

Join Waldrop every Sunday night from 6-9 PM on HoustonRadioPlatinum.com.

Love Songs Every Night From 8-Midnight

The internet station offers its own love songs show! Every night from 8-Midnight, it plays your classic love songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with Barry. Barry takes your requests and dedications.

How To Listen?

You can stream our station directly from our website at houstonradioplatinum.com, or download the radio.net app and search for Houston Radio Platinum.com.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Houston Radio Platinum)

Lainie Fritz to leave KPRC 2

After three years, KPRC 2 sports reporter Lainie Fritz announces departure from the station

Friday night, KPRC 2 sports reporter Lainie Fritz announced she is leaving the station.

Thank you Houston! This Sunday will be my last day at KPRC and while I’m excited about what’s next in my journey, this goodbye is very bittersweet.

These 3 years are filled with so many amazing memories...from the Super Bowl, to the Astros winning the World Series, and the Cougars making history in the NCAA tournament to name a few.

I have truly enjoyed every step of the way. Even covering the tough times like Hurricane Harvey I cherish, because it showed me the heart of this city. Houston is my favorite place in the world and it’s not because of the great sports, incredible food or warm weather. It’s because of the people. I believe that no where else in the country has such down to earth, genuine, good hearted people who love to have fun like the people here. The culture is simply unmatched.

No matter where I go from here, Houston will always have my heart and feel like home. Thankful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion here and be inspired by so many of you on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has supported and believed in me.

Please stay in touch as I keep you posted on what’s next for me!

Fritz joined KPRC in March of 2016. During her time at channel 2, she garnered a lot of national attention. Fritz was featured in a profile by NBC Sports and written about in some online outlets.

Before Houston, the Huntsville, TX native was the main sports anchor/reporter at WCBD Charleston, South Carolina.

The Sam Houston State University grad got her start in broadcasting while in college working for the Bearkat Sports Network and 101.7 KSAM. She interned at KPRC.

Speaking of SHSU, as I have written before, Fritz was a member of the Orange Pride spirit team which won the national championships during her sophomore year. According to the April 17, 2012 edition of the Houstonian, it was the the third time the team won.

If the name "Fritz" sounds familiar, it's because Lainie's father is Willie Fritz, the Tulane University head coach since 2016. According to the university, "Coach Willie Fritz has already made an immediate impact, providing the program with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and a winning culture that has the Green Wave poised to make the 2019 season a year to remember."

Fritz was also the head football coach at Sam Houston State University from 2010 to 2013. He previously coached at Blinn College in the 1990s.

RELATED
- Sports anchor Ari Alexander joins KPRC 2
- Vanessa Richardson joins KPRC 2 sports team

View this post on Instagram

Thank you Houston! This Sunday will be my last day at KPRC and while I’m excited about what’s next in my journey, this goodbye is very bittersweet. These 3 years are filled with so many amazing memories...from the Super Bowl, to the Astros winning the World Series, and the Cougars making history in the NCAA tournament to name a few. I have truly enjoyed every step of the way. Even covering the tough times like Hurricane Harvey I cherish, because it showed me the heart of this city. Houston is my favorite place in the world and it’s not because of the great sports, incredible food or warm weather. It’s because of the people. I believe that no where else in the country has such down to earth, genuine, good hearted people who love to have fun like the people here. The culture is simply unmatched. No matter where I go from here, Houston will always have my heart and feel like home. Thankful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion here and be inspired by so many of you on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has supported and believed in me. Please stay in touch as I keep you posted on what’s next for me!

A post shared by Lainie Fritz (@lainiefritz) on Aug 16, 2019 at 5:27pm PDT

Lee Meier named FOX 26 KRIV assistant news director

Lee Meier has been named Assistant News Director at FOX 26 Houston, announced station Vice President and News Director, Susan Schiller. Reporting directly to Schiller, Meier assumes this position in late September.

In making the announcement, Schiller stated, “Lee is a highly regarded television journalist and our FOX 26 newscasts and digital platforms will benefit greatly from the breadth of her experience. We are thrilled she is coming back to Texas, and making Houston her home.”

Most recently, Meier has served as Managing Editor for WTXF, the FOX-owned station in Philadelphia, where she previously held the roles of Special Project Manager and Executive Producer. Prior to that, Meier served as an Executive Producer for WDAF in Kansas City, Missouri. Before that, she was an Executive Producer for KDBC in El Paso, Texas. Meier began her career in news as a producer for KTSM in El Paso, Texas.

A graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, Meier holds a Bachelors degree in Communications and Political Science.

Meier added, “Houston is a great city with vibrant people. I can’t wait to return to Texas as part of such a driven news team, bringing their stories to viewers each and every day.”

FOX Television Stations owns and operates 28 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in nine of the top ten largest designated market areas (DMAs), and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 17 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce nearly 1,000 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by FOX Television Stations)

Dominique Sachse shows how to pose for the camera

Dominique Sachse gets pro tips from Houston photographer Al Torres on how to pose and feel confident while getting your picture taken.

Houston social media stars July 2019

Share Rocket gives us data on how each Houston TV station and the corresponding air staff members performed on Facebook and Twitter.

Share Rocket is, "a social media ratings and audience solution providing media companies an easy way to quantify their social media equity, benchmark against peers and turn social market intelligence into insights that drive social success."

The numbers are pulled from station usage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Share Rocket's "Share" measurement.

First we are looking at every Houston media company in the Share Rocket database and top personalities. Then I am looking at the top 5 on air staff members at each station in order of channel number.

RELATED
- Texas TV news and radio job moves July 2019
- Best News Bloopers July 2019 Will Save Your Summer

Houston Media

1. abc13 KTRK
2. FOX 26 KRIV
3. KHOU 11
4. KPRC 2
5. Houston Chronicle
6. Univision 45
7. Telemundo 47
8. Houston Press
9. Houston's 39
10. CultureMap Houston

Top 5 individuals

1. Dominique Sachse - KPRC 2
2. Marcela Perez Barros - Univision 45
3. Isiah Carey - FOX 26 KRIV
4. Steve Campion - abc13 KTRK
5. Mark Berman - FOX 26 KRIV

KPRC 2

1. Dominique Sachse
2. Jennifer Reyna
3. Sofia Ojeda
4. Frank Billingsley
5. Adam Wexler

KHOU 11

1. Brandi Smith
2. Chita Craft
3. Melissa Correa
4. Blake Mathews
5. Tiffany Craig

abc 13 KTRK

1. Steve Campion
2. Erica Simon
3. Melanie Lawson
4. Samica Knight
5. Chelsey Hernandez

FOX 26 KRIV

1. Isiah Carey
2. Mark Berman
3. Coco Dominguez
4. Natalie Hee
5. Melissa Wilson

CW39

1. Shannon LaNier
2. Maggie Flecknoe
3. Sharron Melton
4. Maria Sotolongo
5. Trey Serna

Univision 45 KXLN

1. Marcela Perez Barros
2. Karina Yapor
3. Deysy Rios
4. Suheily Lopez-Belen
5. Albert Martínez

Telemundo 47 KTMD

1. Ubaldo Martínez
2. Carlos A. Robles
3. Antonio Hernández
4. Ruby Guzmán
5. Augusto Bernal

Houston Chronicle

1. Mike Glenn
2. Brian T. Smith
3. Jonathan Feigen
4. Evan Mintz
5. Lisa Falkenberg

DISCLAIMER: No Houston radio stations are listed in the Share Rocket database.

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor; Lisa Hernandez moves

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor from WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina; Lisa Hernandez moves to weekend evenings

KHOU 11 has hired WCNC (TEGNA) Charlotte, North Carolina, weekend anchor Xavier Walton as its new #HTownRush morning anchor.

"We are excited to have him on board," KHOU president and general manager, Robert Springer, told mikemcguff.com.

Springer adds that Walton wants to move to Houston, to not only report the news, but also to make it a better place to live through his community involvement.

Here is Walton's TV news career highlight reel:

WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina Area
Anchor/ Multimedia Journalist
June 2015 – 2019

KTWO Casper, Wyoming Area
Evening Anchor/Reporter
June 2012 – June 2015

KUSA Denver
News Intern
June 2011 – August 2011

WSYX-ABC6 Columbus, Ohio
Intern
June 2010 – August 2010

According to his bio, Walton graduated from California Lutheran University and even played on the basketball team. He was the starting point-guard three out of the four years he played.

Walton will join the Houston CBS affiliate in mid-September.


When I keep writing about the name "Walton" in connection with the KHOU morning show, it takes me back to the days when Johnathan Walton worked those hours!

With the new Walton's arrival, comes the move of current #HTownRush anchor Lisa Hernandez.

Hernandez will be moving to weekend evenings alongside Ron Trevino who currently anchors alone in that time slot. Trevino will continue to solo anchor the Saturday morning news.

Springer tells me the station is working to expand its weekend coverage with Hernandez's addition.

In 2011, Hernandez arrived to channel 11 and Houston from abc7 KABC Los Angeles to replace Lucy Noland on the evening shift.

She might be in TV now, but Hernandez started freelancing for the LA Times while earning a political science degree at UCLA. Upon graduation in 2001, she refocused her career on TV news starting at KESQ Palm Springs. From there she went across the country to Charlotte, North Carolina's News 14 as a reporter and then returning to California joining KABC in 2004.

In 2016, Hernandez swapped the PM shift for the AM hours and became the station's morning anchor, replacing Lily Jang, with newly hired Russ Lewis who came from KGW Portland.

A few months ago in early June, Lewis left mornings for KHOU's revamped 4pm newscast.

The History of Houston Broadcasting 1919–2019

The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park just emailed out this event. If you read my blog, then you might want to attend. Sure wish I could!

Here is more from the society's email:

Noon Lecture
The History of Houston Broadcasting 1919–2019
by Phil Stewart
Thursday, August 15, 2019
12:00–1:00 p.m.
The Heritage Society Tea Room
Free for members, $5 for non-members

Phil Stewart has worked in in all facets of the broadcasting industry for over 35 years. He will discuss the beginnings of Radio in Houston, from the granting of licences in the early 20’s to the development of television in the 50’s. Along the way, he will discuss Houstonians who were responsible for the development and innovations that affected broadcasting around the world. These would be Jesse Jones, Ross Sterling, William P. Hobby, Oveta Culp Hobby, Oscar Holcomb, Glen McCarthy, Howard Hughes and many more. He will also discuss the personalities along with tapes of their work including Ron Stone, Doug Johnson, Hudson and Harrigan, Paul Boesch, Bill Young, Dan Rather, Jessica Savitch, Steve Lundy, Larry Kane, Stevens and Pruett, Marvin Zindler, Bill Bailey and many more. Most of these recordings are over 50 years old and he will include brief programs of the 40th and 50th anniversaries of Houston television stations.

Five years ago, Phil went into semi retirement and became a certified professional tour guide and joined the Professional Tour Guide Association and eventually became the organization’ s Vice President and eventually President. He currently serves on the organization’s board of Directors. He is a historian and Houston native. He purchased Discover Houston Tours and currently conducts tours of Houston, NASA, the San Jacinto Battleground, etc. Please join us for this exciting lecture.

If you would like to reserve a lunch, please contact Sheryl Tyler at styler@heritagesociety.org or 713-655-1912.

https://www.heritagesociety.org/

Samica Knight to return to work

abc13 KTRK morning anchor Samica Knight had “Baby Floyd” back in May, and today announced she will be back on the news desk Thursday.

"Tomorrow’s the big day Fam," Knight posted. "I’m headed back to work tomorrow. Floyd has officially given his approval. He’s a big talker. We talk like this all the time, especially around 2 am."


(Thanks Robin!)

CW39 to carry Live Town Hall with Governor Greg Abbott

KIAH-TV is pleased to present live coverage of a Town Hall meeting with Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, August 15 th from 7:00pm – 8:00pm on CW39 Houston.

This live event will take place in Tyler, Texas.

Governor Abbott will answer questions from a broad spectrum of topics including: Immigration and Border Security, Property Taxes, Gun Laws and Public Safety.

“We’re pleased to bring this live event to the Houston area,” said Harvey Saxer, KIAH Station Manager. “The topics scheduled to be discussed are of great importance to all of us in our community and we believe hearing directly from the Governor on these issues has significant value.”

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by CW39)