KTVU's Rob Roth Excellent Piece on Ghost Ship Victim is Poignant and Powerful (Video)

   So how's a nice Jewish boy with New York roots surviving in the Gregg Kelley 54 camera world of KTVU? Very well thank you.

Senior Reporter, Rob Roth's remarkable package on the Ghost Ship fire victim, Michela Gregory, last week was so "on message" it was a re-run again the next morning in its entirety.

It conjured up the good ole days when the "10 o'clock News" was the preeminent site for the 2:00 to 2:35 non live package.

Roth took the time and effort to cut a stand-up bridge instead of sending a photographer to spray the area. You have to wonder how Roth has survived when most seasoned reporters in the Bay Area are walking bully-eyes for the HR department to save on payroll.

Now we know why. 

The Grim Reaper Has Stopped By KTVU; Veteran Reporters Vacar And Roth Are Next On Fox Chop Board; Photographers/EP's Anxious; Monday Start

 YOUR FAVORITE KTVU veteran reporters are not long for the FOX-owned Oakland station in Jack London Square--415 Media has learned that tenured and respected reporters, Tom Vacar and Rob Roth, are the next victims on the FOX chop board!


Not a matter of if but when I'm told by several local broadcast sources.


In Vacar's case, FOX seems to be embarking on unchartered territory. For one, Vacar, KTVU's Consumer Editor, even in his twilight years, still brings great content and consumer reporting to the table. And he's easily one of KTVU's most recognizable personalities. But in his late 60's Vacar is at an age where TV News consultants can be cold and brutal--Chop, Chop, Chop. As I've mentioned numerous times Vacar holds a law degree (although he doesn't practice) and it was only that element that has delayed FOX from making any move fearing Vacar could counteract. Now, Fox simply doesn't care.


Furthermore, FOX was not happy with the recent May Sweeps in which KTVU didn't perform well and was beaten savagely by other stations in the market.


This latest news is not going to make for a happy KTVU Newsroom that has already seen at least 2 senior staffers get their walking papers (including Vacar's own wife!)--we also know cameramen are in the pits amid widespread speculation of impending doom (read: layoffs).


The GRIM REAPER has parked his scooter at 2 Jack London Square!



*Follow me on Twitter


'