KGMB-TV unveils talent for new morning show
KGMB-TV yesterday confirmed long-circulating rumors about the talent that will staff its new morning news program -- with an unveiling for employees in the station's studio.
"It was great ... excellent. They got a standing ovation," said Rick Blangiardi, president and general manager.
The new morning team "did a great job of talking about their expectations ... about what this opportunity means to them," Blangiardi said. "They are a very competitive group."
Steve Uyehara has finalized his deal in the last couple of days and will serve as lead male anchor.
KGMB-returnee Grace Lee, who came back to the station in June following a three-year stint in Sacramento, will be the lead female anchor. Uyehara is now a sports reporter and weekend anchor, while Lee currently serves as a reporter.
Weekend weather anchor Jeff Booth moves to weekday mornings, something he did previously for a station in Lima, Ohio.
Howard Dicus, as previously reported in the Star-Bulletin, will join the morning crew doing business stories and more, and will also be seen on the station's evening newscasts.
"Sunrise on KGMB9" will debut at 5 a.m. Sept. 17 and will air from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays, replacing "The Daily Buzz," a syndicated show in which former owner Emmis Communications Corp. had an interest.
The show title is intended to pay homage to the islands' first live television news program, which debuted in 1952 and aired weekday mornings on KGMB.
The show will also feature real-time closed captioning, something the station says no other local TV morning show offers.