From Paul Rolly's column in the Salt Lake Tribune on 3/16/2007:

'Now you see it . . . In case you blinked, Terry Wood is no longer the 10 p.m. weeknight anchor for KTVX-TV. It's now Ross Becker. Wood will be confined to the weekend newscasts. I predicted this a few weeks ago and tied it to the anxiety felt by Channel 4's parent company, ClearChannel, over Wood's editorializing against the Bush administration's Divine Strake bomb test in the Nevada desert...At the time, KTVX officials told callers and e-mailers that they supported Wood's actions regarding Divine Strake and news director David Dantuano publicly defended and praised his anchor.  So shortly after the station's show of confidence in Wood, he is demoted.  It happened right after Wood left for a 10-day vacation. The planned move was kept confidential for weeks, but you can be sure the secrecy had nothing to do with the recent ratings period.'

I watched KTVX  BECAUSE of Terry Wood.  I don't like the new guy, Ross Becker... he's very much an  "Anchorman" -- in the mosty cheesy kind of way. 

Terry Wood is who I've grown up listening to.  I believed in him, I think he is a good reporter and is willing to take on subjects that are not always talked about. ClearChannel should be praising his actions, not demotting him. 

KTVX  -- you have lost a viewer on the weeknights.  I will only watch your news on the weekends, to show support for Terry Wood. 

You are wrong and this move is bad for your station.!

I have watched channel 4 for many years.  I have found Terry Wood to be an

excellent reporter.  I appreciated his passion about the bomb issue.  Even if I had

disagreed with him ( which I didn't ) I admired him for taking such a strong stand.

What you did to him was really dirty pool !  I will not watch 4 any more.  Besides

Ross Becker is a terrible replacement he has no commitment to Utah and local

issues and he's presents very poorly.  Shame on you for demoting your best most

trusted reporter for taking a stand in the interest of all Utahans.

Bring Terry Wood back! 

The idea that the station management would support Mr. Wood publicly, while plotting his demotion behind the scenes is appalling.  This is another example of the politically motiviated shenanigans and selling out to the conservative establishment that Clear Channel is known for.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  Clear Channel is known to be a supporter of the Bush Adminstration and Divine Strake was a program being pushed by BushCo.  Apparently any perceived criticism of the Bush adminstration is unacceptable.  Divine Strake is an issue that transcends party or politics; it is an issue that everyone could and did oppose - for the health and welfare of the community.   I guess it shows exactly how much Clear Channel values it's viewers - not at all. 


Maybe it doesn't matter, because ABC4 and Clear Channel, you've lost a viewer.

I agree with this viewer about this new guy, Ross Becker. He is very much an "Anchorman" and is so cheesy I couldn't even watch. And what happened to Ruth Todd? Where did she go?

Why would you get rid of Terry Wood when he helped this state in fighting back against those who wanted Divine Strake. I think he did us all a favor by getting the word out and helping the public be aware of how they could use their voice to stand up against something they didn't want in their state.

I too will no longer be watching your station on weeknights. This is not a good change.

I grew up with Terry Wood as an anchor, and he has done a superlative job for Channel 4 for decades. So I am really ashamed of Clear Channel's decision to demote Mr.Wood to weekends. Look at the outpouring of support on this site! Viewers responded overwhelmingly in the positive to Mr. Wood's bravery in calling this on the carpet. And this is how they respond? It's obvious they don't have the viewer's interests in mind. So whose interests ARE they catering to? No wonder journalists are cowering like spavined little lapdogs under the shadow of big business and politics. This is what happens to you if you're brave enough to speak out. I am hoping that Mr. Wood gets the same support here that he received after he spoke on the air about Divine Strake, and that Clear Channel sees fit to restore Mr. Wood to his original slot on the 10 o'clock news.  

The first thing that you guys did wrong is get rid of Dan Pope then Ruth Todd and now Terry Wood! I will no longer be watching your network for any news anytime. I guess I will have to start sorting through which network I will watch now. Good Luck. Hope you are happy now.

I couldn't agree with you more.  It is bad enough they got rid of Dan Pope and Ruth Todd but now Terry Wood gets demoted.  I really like Barb Smith but I don't think that is enough to keep me watching this channel.  I knew that Divine Strake issue would be the end of Terry.  It's too bad.  I really like watching him but I really don't watch the news on the weekends. 

I realize Clear Channel is trying to cut costs but this sure isn't the way to do it.  Shame on them!!

I don't like Ross Becker's style.  He reminds me of a tabloid reporter.  I like Barb Smith, but since I can't stand to watch Ross Becker, I've switched to another channel.  I still can't believe they let Ruth Todd go.  She was the best anchor I've ever watched.  She had a natural sense of ease and flow that is simply unmatched.  Bring Ruth back too!!!

Please bring Terry Wood back,the new guy is not very informative or clear speaking.I don't mean to trash him,but face it.. he's not Terry .Also what have you done with Ruth Todd? My family and I can not watch ABC 4 news any more in the evenings.we'll have to see if we can catch Terry and maybe Ruth Tood on weekends. Bring Terry back.

 

debidont3, Ruth was let go a few weeks ago after her contract expired and the station decided not to renew it.  They say they needed more of her time, she says they had to cut costs and she was too expensive for them.  I haven't heard the official version yet of why Terry was demoted.  I think Barbara Smith is great, but I really can't stand Ross Becker.  His style is completely at odds with Utah, in my opinion.  He feels very fake and tends to overdramatize the news.  Why they would replace such a fine anchor as Ruth with this guy is baffling to me.  Hopefully the viewership will go down and they will soon realize that they made a big mistake.

Terry was right. 

Terry argued that after looking at the facts for himself, the Divine Strake test was unsafe for him, his children, his grandchildren, and the people of Utah.

Terry bravely took a stand.  He put his reputation on the line.  And what did he get in return.  A demotion.

That was February.  Now, in June, the experts finally have their day in court.  And the truth sees the light of day: 'DIVINE STRAKE: Blast's health risks great, experts say - Government failed to adequately study possible dangers of explosion, judge hears in testimony.'

Come on, ABC4.  Isn't it time to do the right thing and give that man a medal? 

Or, at the very least, give him his old position back?

Perhaps, in light of the above mentioned judicial decision, we will now see ABC4 show some coporate courage and reinstate Terry Wood.  They wouldn't even have to publicly admit that they bowed to political pressure in demoting him.  Simply the fact of his reinstatement MIGHT restore the viewing public's confidence in Channel 4's integrity. I know it would improve my opinion.