johnnya2k6 171 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 For over two decades, KTUU had the most respected television news operation in Alaska. Their award-winning coverage of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, led by John Tracy, would cement their place at the top and promote John to News Director in 1990. Under his watch they've remained #1, even during NBC's dominance as the top-rated network in the mid-'90s. That all changed last year when Channel 2 transferred to new ownership and management, and Tracy after 23 years would leave the station for some ad agency with Steve MacDonald upgraded to ND. However, there was some turmoil behind the scenes between MacDonald and KTUU management, and Steve was briefly fired in February only to return two weeks later. And just recently, longtime reporter/anchor Jason Moore has left for a gig at a rival ad firm. Now it appears that after 20+ years at the top, and combined with NBC's continuing troubles, the good ol' days at KTUU are all but over as ratings for their newscasts have been slowly dropping. With the help of still #1 CBS, KTVA has proved to themselves they can produce a better news product than KTUU. Case in point: When John McCain chose then-governor Sarah Palin as his running mate last year during the election, KTVA on the fly put out a one-hour special on it in the daytime. KTUU on the other hand, didn't even extend their coverage to include a primetime special on Palin. That would've been John Tracy's thing if he was still in charge. At least they were the first in Alaska with their own satellite truck in 1999, but no chopper...yet. And they still have yet to be first with local news in HD (though KTUU was first in color in 1966)! What's the holdup, Channel 2? KTVA has been a solid #2 in Anchorage since the 1970's, but it won't be long now till they dethrone KTUU to be #1 once again. We'll find out when November sweeps roll around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bm10k 1 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Don't forget That Palin Was A sports anchor At KTUU Also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaskanews 108 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Don't forget That Palin Was A sports anchor At KTUU Also She was an intern for a few months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRAP-TV 145 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 She was an intern for a few months... You betcha! There, too, also... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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