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What’s Jason Hill up to? A little of everything
Jason Hill is alive and well, TV viewers.
And he’s surprisingly busy for someone who was laid off just a month ago.
Hill, who spent seven years at KVUE, was one of four local employees let go in late March as part of a nationwide reduction in force by Belo Corp., the station’s owner. He anchored the morning and midday newscasts, as usual, on Friday, March 20, then disappeared without explanation. His bio was taken off the station’s Web site. Video of him was edited out of promotional spots. And less than a week later, veteran 5 p.m. anchor Olga Campos slid into the seat he once occupied alongside Melissa Gale and meteorologist Meghan Danahey.
“Not being able to say goodbye is an ugly part of the news business,” Hill says.
Definitely not an ideal exit, but one he understands after spending two-plus decades delivering the news here in Austin and elsewhere.
“I have no animosity toward the station. Business is business. I was treated well during my time there.”
A month later, viewers who watched him each morning still stop Hill at the gym, at the grocery store … pretty much everywhere. What happened?, they want to know.
“I want to thank everyone,” he says. “All the well wishes I’ve received are very humbling.”
Now it’s time to move on — and he has in near-record time.
He’s joined Austin City Living as a Realtor after spending some time the past few years working out of the Round Rock Keller Williams office. His “On the Road” test drives of new cars, a staple on KVUE’s newscasts, have found a new life on the recently launched OnTheRoadWithJasonHill.com. And, oh yeah, Hill and his wife run a martial arts studio, Round Rock Kenpo, out of the Lifetime Fitness location in North Austin. Got all that?
Hill also had TV viewers rubbing their eyes last week when he popped up as a reporter on KXAN. It’s an occasional freelance gig made possible by KXAN news director Michael Fabac, who worked with Hill at a Detroit station.
“I approached him,” Fabac says. “I know him, and I know his work”
So does that mean Hill could pop up on KXAN — or another Austin station — one day soon?
“I would definitely consider it,” Hill says. “I love Austin, and I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
That love of all things Austin — and a desire to not uproot his wife and two sons — means he’s turned down leads on a couple out-of-town jobs lined up by his agent in recent weeks. For now, Hill’s quite happy with the opportunities that have come his way. And he especially likes being able to sleep in.
“The biggest shock has been not having to get up at 1:30 in the morning,” Hill says. “I’m still getting accustomed to telling people I can do things after 6 p.m.”
Deborah Cannon photo / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
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By Jacqueline Davbis
January 18, 2011 2:22 PM | Link to this
KVUE is not the same without Jason Hill in the mornings, he has a nice personality. I had the chance to observe at a School dance that his Sons and my daughter attended in Pflugerville, and he and his Wife are a great team she is a DJ and he was very supporitve of her. KVUE could use some more versatility in their Station maybe have Ms. Culpepper on more and bring back Jason and pair them as a team.
Regards,
Jacqueline Davis
By RRH
February 15, 2010 3:09 PM | Link to this
Jason Hill spotted today in Round Rock!
By Madison
May 5, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this
I'm very happy that Jason is alive & well, I wish him all the best. Honestly, since Jason has left, I have not watch KVUE News since! Miss You Jason!
By karen
May 1, 2009 11:57 PM | Link to this
I still can't believe KVUE let Jason go but I am very happy to know he's doing well! KVUE really dropped the ball on this one.
By Ken in South Austin
April 29, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
I liked Jason Hill on the air, and from what I've read, I like him as a person. Business is business, yes, but KVUE will regret the move. Viewership of their morning newscast will suffer.