KNBC Weathermen Rain on DWP Parade

What’s wrong with this picture?

Many of the Los Angeles area’s big-shot weathercasters--from KABC’s George Fischbeck to KCBS’ Kevin O’Connell--offer toothy grins in a new TV commercial urging people to conserve water. But two notable weather wizards from KNBC are missing: Fritz Coleman and Christopher Nance.

It’s no accident, either. Although the two weather mavens were asked by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power to appear in the ad, their station wouldn’t permit it. “I find it inappropriate for someone associated with a news organization to be doing paid commercials,” said John Rohrbeck, vice president and general manager of KNBC.

Instead, KNBC has filmed its own water conservation public service spots that feature Nance and Coleman. But, unlike the DWP ads, Rohrbeck said, these ads won’t cost taxpayers a nickel.

“As a resident of the city of Los Angeles,” Rohrbeck said, “I’m amazed that they are using taxpayer money for this campaign, rather than attempting to get free public-service announcements.” And what are taxpayers paying for the campaign? Says the DWP: $600,000.