Seattle, meet Boris Epshteyn. You’re about to see a lot more of him.
Epshteyn is many things: a banker, a communications flack for Republican campaigns, a surrogate for President Donald Trump’s campaign and, briefly, a member of his administration.
In recent months, he’s become something else: The Senior Political Analyst for Sinclair Broadcast Group — the media giant that owns 170 local news stations nationwide and functions with a widely accepted hard-right lilt. Among those stations is Seattle’s KOMO news.
In recent days, staff for KOMO have been told by Sinclair representatives they will be required to run editorial segments from Epshteyn —the “Bottom Line with Boris” — on a more regular basis. It’s not entirely clear how often, but according to one person with knowledge of the situation, KOMO will be expected to air Ephsteyn’s editorials at least three times a week during its prime time 11 p.m. news broadcast.
Politico reported Monday that KOMO’s experience is not unique. “Even while under fire for requiring its outlets to run conservative content, Sinclair Broadcast Group is increasing the ‘must-run’ segments across its affiliates featuring former Trump White House official Boris Epshteyn to nine times a week, the company confirmed on Monday,” reported the political news outlet.
It’s unclear whether KOMO will run the editorials during other parts of the day. KOMO’s general manager did not respond to a request for comment on the schedule.
Sinclair is unique among broadcasting groups in its insistence that local affiliates run content created by the national organization.
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Oh No, you’ve got to be kidding PSR! My question, why don’t you start exposing all the other tv and radio stations in Metro Seattle who are obvious liberal lefties, with lefty commentaries day in and day out. What a refreshing change to finally get some truth in reporting, instead of all the fake news we’re currently inundated with. This also applies to Canadian media in general.
When I heard of Sinclair’s corporate decision my first thought was wondering how it would impact the KOMO group of stations in one of America’s most left-leaning cities. However, I reflect on the history of that group of radio stations and recall that KVI, in the late 80’s and 90’s was the absolute national LEADER in all-conservative radio. From the early days of KVI’s right-leaning programming centered with Rush Limbaugh (in syndication) and Michael Medved and so many other local righties set ratings records at that station. The KVI “model” was replicated in stations all over the US…because, if you were a hit in Seattle with conservative radio, you could be a hit anywhere. KVI, led by my friend Shannon Sweatte, set an absolute national tidal wave of conservative radio. Good luck KOMO…