The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

Frank Somerville to depart KTVU, report says

Photo of author
By:
»

mkeys@thedesk.net

Share:
KTVU-TV news anchor Frank Somerville appears in an undated handout photograph. (Photo: KTVU/Fox Television Stations, Inc.; Graphic by The Desk)

Long-time KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville says he will not be returning to the news station after his contract with the broadcast outlet lapsed with no renewal.

“I am done at Channel 2,” Somerville said in a phone interview with the Bay Area News Group, which broke the news of his departure on Friday.

Somerville said a DUI incident and arrest that occurred in late December had “nothing to do with” his departure, adding that newsroom management had expressed a desire for him to leave “long before that.”

In recent months, Somerville has clashed with newsroom executives over the direction of stories that have appeared on KTVU’s newscasts, including a September 21 incident in which he repeatedly pushed producers and others at the station to include a commentary on racial injustice.

The Bay Area News Group said sources at the television station did not feel like the commentary was appropriate for a local news broadcast. KTVU, which airs on Channel 2 throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, is owned by Fox Corporation.

Earlier in the year, Somerville was absent from the station after he appeared to have trouble reading a teleprompter during a newscast. Video of Somerville slurring his speech went viral shortly after the newscast ended. He did not appear on the station for several weeks, until he returned to the anchor desk with no explanation for his absence.

Never miss a story

Get free breaking news alerts and twice-weekly digests delivered to your inbox.

We do not share your e-mail address with third parties; you can unsubscribe at any time.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is the award-winning founder and editor of TheDesk.net, an authoritative voice on broadcast and streaming TV, media and tech. With over ten years of experience, he's a recognized expert in broadcast, streaming, and digital media, with work featured in publications such as StreamTV Insider and Digital Content Next, and past roles at Thomson Reuters and Disney-ABC Television Group.
TheDesk.net is free to read — please help keep it that way.

We rely on advertising revenue to support our original journalism and analysis.
Please disable your ad-blocking technology to continue enjoying our content.

Learn how to disable your ad blocker on: Chrome | Firefox | Safari | Microsoft Edge | Opera | AdBlock plugin

Alternatively, add us as a preferred source on Google to unlock access to this website.

If you think this is an error, please contact us.