Gregg Bell has been offered a second chance to host the midday timeslot at Seattle's 93.3 KJR after Marc James' departure. Bell, who previously filled in for nearly ten months, remained dedicated to his reporting on the Seahawks during the interim.
Key points
Gregg Bell was initially passed over for the midday host role at KJR.
Marc James was hired for the midday timeslot but has since departed.
Bell remained committed to Seahawks coverage during the interim.
Bell has now been offered the midday host position at KJR.
Mentioned in this story
Gregg Bell93.3 KJRiHeartMediaMarc James
It was just over a year ago when Seattle sports radio station 93.3 KJR announced a new host for its vacant midday timeslot. After nearly ten months of fill-in work by Tacoma News Tribune Seahawks beat reporter Gregg Bell, the station went in another direction. The iHeartMedia brand decided to welcome Marc James into the timeslot while Bell stayed with the station for his morning radio hits.
Fast forward 14 months, and another round of layoffs hit iHeartMedia. The radio station parted ways with James in the timeslot, raising questions about how to fill the role this time.
āRich Moore [KJR Program Director] always told me that you never know and things could change,ā said Bell about the months following the stationās decision to hire James in the daypart. āI was willing to do that, because I have a first job. It takes up a good bit of my time. Itās not like I was twiddling my thumbs waiting on KJR to call me back about a full time job.ā
Bell said when the decision came down that James would be the selection for the daypart, he didnāt take it personally. Instead, he focused on continuing to provide quality coverage of the Seahawks for both the newspaper and the morning show on KJR.
As news broke about Jamesā departure last month, that dedication paid off with an offer to become the new voice of middays on KJR.
āWhen iHeartMedia made a decision that KJR had to trim a position, Rich Moore asked me if I wanted to host a 10am-12pm show. I wasnāt coming in from far away, because I was talking to him all the time,ā said Bell.
The timing was quick and direct. Less than a week after Jamesā final show, KJR announced Bell as the new host for the midday daypart. Despite not signing a contract to fill the role, Bell moved forward with the opportunity, understanding the ever-changing nature of the business.
āIāve been in business long enough to know it changes in a hurry. So, I made the decision to keep my head down and continue my work for KJR. Always doing what they asked me to do. To be a good team player, and that opportunities might come down the road,ā explained Bell. āThey didā¦ Iāve been in the media business already, and Iām a little bit past having hurt feelings or a pouting stage.ā
Q&A
Why did Gregg Bell not initially get the midday host position at KJR?
Gregg Bell was not selected for the midday host position at KJR because the station chose Marc James for the role after nearly ten months of Bell's fill-in work.
What led to Gregg Bell's return to the midday timeslot at KJR?
Gregg Bell's return to the midday timeslot at KJR was prompted by Marc James' departure following layoffs at iHeartMedia, allowing Bell to step into the role.
How long did Gregg Bell work as a fill-in host before being offered the midday position?
Gregg Bell worked as a fill-in host for nearly ten months before being offered the midday position at KJR.
What was Gregg Bell's focus during the time he was not the midday host?
During the time he was not the midday host, Gregg Bell focused on providing quality coverage of the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune and continued his morning radio hits on KJR.
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āAll my muses are in writing. I donāt have that realm of looking at other sports radio hosts and trying to emulate them,ā said Bell. āI donāt habitually listen to sports talk radio when I travel covering the Seahawks, and donāt much listen at all.ā
With his limited background in radio, Bell is leaning on his journalism experience to set himself apart.
āThe value that you can bring as a first-person journalist who does his own reporting. Few outlets have that. So, Iām trying to capitalize on that as my niche for the listeners on KJR,ā explained Bell. āAnyone can pontificate about anything they see on television, but how many of them have the experience I have with the teams and players? Thereās fewer of that in sports radio than ever before.ā
Bell is not a Seattle native, having grown up in the Midwest and Ohio Valley. He moved to Seattle in 1994 and developed a respect for those who came before him on the cityās legacy sports radio brand. For the past 12 years, Bell has been the lead voice covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune.
Storytelling on the Radio
His approach to this second opportunity in middays centers on blending that journalistic foundation with a human touch. He aims to share the stories of players beyond the box score, highlighting the people behind Seattle sports and connecting with fans on a deeper level.
āEverybody I cover has a why and a path how they got there. Iām trying to bring some of that to sports radio. Sometimes I feel like āThe Lone Rangerā doing that,ā notes Bell. āIām trying to raise that bar for the listener. To challenge them to learn more about the people they follow and pay to see the games. Theyāre more than just athletes.ā
While the midday program adds to his workload, Bell said the newspaper remains his top priority. When breaking news occurs, there is an understanding with his publisher and editors that the paper will report it first before he brings it to the radio audience.
āMy job primarily is first to the News Tribune. To his credit, Rich Moore understands that. In fact, he wants to promote anything involving me and the News Tribune. I appreciate that,ā said Bell. āIf something breaks on the air, Iām not prohibited from talking about it or reporting it on KJR. But I try to do it simultaneously with the paper either on social media. I do make a conscious effort to not talk about my stories until its published with the News Tribune.ā
Because of the access Bell has built over time, balancing responsibilities between two outlets requires care. He said the plan for the upcoming season is to handle both roles full-time. Bell also credited efforts to broadcast his show from the Seahawks facility during game weeks, as well as from iHeartMedia locations after road games.
Growing the Next Generation
While Bell is excited about the opportunity, he is equally eager to provide a platform for his executive producer, Christopher Kidd. The two developed strong chemistry during Bellās interim run prior to Jamesā hire and now have the chance to build on it.
āMy goal, I want to give Christopher Kidd a large voice on the show. I want the show to be The Gregg Bell Show with Christopher Kidd,ā says Bell. āHeās got a lot to provide to the program. I try to give him a lot of opportunity to do that. Heās been great for the transition so far, and understands what Iām trying to do.ā
Bell said listener feedback during his second stint in the daypart has been overwhelmingly positive, especially with Kiddās increased presence in the showās content.
Still, Bell remains grounded in the realities of the business. Change is constant. Stability is never guaranteed. But this time, he isnāt waiting for the next opportunity.
Heās building one.
With a journalistās perspective, a storytellerās instinct, and a renewed shot in middays, Bell is working to carve out a distinct voice at KJRāone rooted not just in what happens on the field, but in the people behind it.
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John Mamola is Barrett Mediaās sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Mediās Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
