ABC Named Dan Rasmussen as New KGO News Director
The network selected the veteran executive to lead the San Francisco newsroom starting this October.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
ABC has appointed Dan Rasmussen to serve as the new News Director at KGO in the San Francisco Bay Area. He transitions to this leadership role after previously serving as the Assistant News Director at KABC.
Why it matters
The appointment fills a critical leadership vacancy at the station that had remained open since the departure of the former director earlier this summer.
ABC confirmed the selection of a new leader following the departure of the previous director in June 2026. The search for a replacement lasted several months before Rasmussen was chosen to oversee the San Francisco operations.
The players
Dan Rasmussen
He is the incoming News Director at KGO who previously served as the Assistant News Director at KABC.
Tracey Watkowski
She is the former KGO News Director who parted ways with ABC in June 2026.
ABC
This major television network oversees the operations of both the KGO station in San Francisco and the KABC station.
The details
Dan Rasmussen moves to the San Francisco market from his current position as the Assistant News Director at KABC. He replaces Tracey Watkowski, with whom ABC parted ways in June 2026.
Timeline
Tracey Watkowski departed from her role in June 2026.
Dan Rasmussen was appointed as the new News Director in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership change signals a stabilization period for the station following a high-level departure in June 2026. By pulling from its existing corporate bench at KABC, ABC maintains continuity across its West Coast network properties.
Viewers of KGO can expect shifts in newsroom management as the new director assumes control of daily broadcast operations. These leadership changes often precede adjustments to editorial focus or local news coverage strategies.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in major network affiliates often signal a change in editorial direction for local news. Viewers should observe upcoming broadcasts to note any shifts in station focus or reporting priorities.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership changes in the San Francisco People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FTVLive.
