Almost 18 months after he was let go by KTVX-Channel 4, Phil Riesen will be returning to the television-news anchor desk - this time at KUTV-Channel 2.
The longtime Utah broadcaster begins work at KUTV on April 1, although no date has been set for his on-air return."I'm feeling wonderful, absolutely wonderful," Riesen said. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity Channel 2 has given me. I've missed it."
Riesen will join KUTV as an anchor-reporter. He's expected to co-anchor at least one of the station's nightly newscasts - most likely at 5 or 6 p.m. - but that also remains undetermined.
The longtime anchor at KTVX was informed in October 1991 that his contract with that station would not be renewed. His departure from Channel 4 later that month was met with a good deal of protest from viewers, who voiced their opinions to Channel 4 and on letters-to-the-editor pages in local newspapers.
Ironically, Riesen was replaced at Channel 4 by former Channel 2 anchorman Randall Carlisle.
Since leaving the station later that month, Riesen has taught broadcast journalism at the University of Utah and done a series of television commercials. Those commercials will end their runs within the next 30 days.
"I haven't been looking for it," Riesen said of his return to TV news, "but there's always kind of been something missing. I've missed the way newsrooms are - hotbeds of daily activity."
And Riesen has a history with KUTV's owners - his first local broadcasting job back in 1968 was at KALL Radio, then owned by the Hatch family, which still owns Channel 2.
"I have a great feeling for them. They're great folks to work for," he said.
The addition of Riesen to the KUTV team was met with some enthusiasm by his soon-to-be co-workers. The station issued a statement quoting both anchors Terry Wood and Michelle King as welcoming his arrival.
KUTV is taking a page out of KTVX's book. Channel 4 has hired a number of former Channel 2 staffers in recent years.
And it's an attempt to shore up KUTV's ratings. In November, Chan-nel 2 maintained a slim lead over Channel 4 at 10 p.m., according to the A.C. Nielsen Co., but Arbitron reported Channel 4 taking second place - behind Channel 5 - away from Channel 2.