Dale Woods in October 2019 packed his bags and headed to Louisville.
One year later, he’s getting a promotion from his current employer, Block Communications.
And, the Toledo-based company that owns the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in addition to TV stations made it official with an announcement distributed Wednesday afternoon.
According to Block, Woods will now serve as VP of TV Broadcasting for the BCI Television Group.
This places Woods in charge of not only Block’s three Louisville stations, FOX affiliate WDRB-TV, CW affiliate WBKI-TV and WBKI-DT3, the MyNetworkTV home; but also NBC affiliate WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill.; and the ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX affiliates serving Lima, Ohio — WLIO and WOHL.
“Dale’s leadership through this pandemic and recent city-wide protests has been impressive and convincing,” said Allan Block, Chairman of Block Communications. “We are thrilled to have him join our senior executive team.”
Woods was previously VP/GM of Meredith Corp.-owned WSMV-4 in Nashville, a role he had since August 2017.
“It is a great honor to lead the broadcast division for Block Communications,” Woods said. “For over a century the Block family has been committed to quality journalism and serving its communities. I’m excited to continue the great growth and tradition for Block Communications.”
Woods’ tenure at WSMV included 13 Emmys, and came after spending a decade at Tribune Broadcasting, first as a Regional Group Manager for WHO in Des Moines; WQAD in the Quad Cities; KFOR in Oklahoma City; and KFSM in Fort Smith, Ark.
Woods began his career in 1986 at WRGT-45 in Dayton, as a Sales AE of the Miami Valley’s FOX affiliate.
To our readers: RBR+TVBR‘s initial coverage included a reference to an age-discrimination suit filed against WSMV by personalities Nancy Van Camp, Jennifer Johnson and Dennis Ferrier. The exits of Rudy Kalis and Paul Heggen from WSMV and the departure of the WSMV station mascot, a penguin named “Snowbird,” was also noted and tied to Woods’ tenure. This was based on information appearing in The Tennessean, the daily newspaper serving Nashville. According to a source close to the matter, these two incidents transpired prior to Woods’ duration at WSMV. However, Kalodimos’ exit was during Woods’ time at WSMV, which indeed include a ratings dip that has largely been recovered in 2020, as noted in a InFOCUS Podcast with WSMV News Director Mitch Jacob and current VP/GM René LaSpina.
