Going 4 It: The inside story of the rise of WDIV (Full documentary)

Local 4 continues to celebrate its 75th year in Detroit television with a two-hour documentary narrated by radio legend Dick Purtan, former WDIV Sportscaster Eli Zaret, and current WDIV Anchor Devin Scillian. “Going 4 It” chronicles the rise of WDIV in Detroit TV and dives into the broadcast landscape over the 70s and 80s, featuring many classic WDIV bits and a deep look at how the Tigers run in the 80s helped revive the station.

[@DETSRC313]

Awesome Content!!! Best Local Station to us in Detroit still to this day!

[@suecostantini8404]

33rer3reerrrr3err3eeer3eeee33e3derer3e3e3er3ree3re33rrrereeereereerereee33re3fr3rrr

[@Itsgonnabeok1325]

As a former Detroiter, I can’t tell you how much joy this gave me to watch this. It was literally like going home without leaving the couch. A a child of the late 70s/early 80s, I feel like time travel is real. (And, side bar, I’m still crushing on Chuck, just like every girl in the 80s).

[@1thetvzone]

Awesome Job WDIV Ch4. I remember 80s/90s and the competitiveness with Ch7 for top spot. Job well done!

[@georgeeichorn7765]

Wonderfully done!! Thanks Eli and all who helped!

[@compcitizen]

This was excellent. I loved Mort Crim when I moved back up north in 1981, and saw and enjoyed Mort Crim and his panelist show. I remember when the s**t or other bad word came out of someone's mouth accidently and Mort Crim, puckering up and apologizing and laughing at the same time, to keep the FCC happy! Now I moved up from Gainesville, Florida and Mort Crim became my neighbor in Jacksonville, Florida, though I had already left Florida. Excellent show please watch & there is a Mort Crim, Carmon Harmon reunion on 23 Nov. 2022.

[@dennisdaniels2992]

Legendary Journalist Carmen Harlan!

[@raymondstern9046]

Underrated reporter from the 60's to 80's Dwayne X. Reilly awesome personality 🙂🙂

[@bradbetts244]

Nice work on the content. Well done enjoyed watching

[@spritemoney]

Thanks for posting this

[@stvitalkid7981]

Many of these Detroit TV personalities like Mort, Carmen, Mal Sillars and Bernie Smilovitz became well known in many out-of-the-way places in Canada because their channels were carried on local cable systems. As someone watching in rural Saskatchewan, 1400 miles from Detroit, I found Bill Bonds fun to watch occasionally because his style was so old school. However, the combination of Mort and Carmen was tops among all the Detroit stations, because they had the best balance between credibility and warmth.

[@jessecoffey4737]

This is great stuff that WDIV brought in an hour and just over half of another to the world. A fair amount of the information in it is so fascinating it isn't even in the station's Wikipedia article. Arguably up there with my local NBC station's (KVOA) in terms of great 2020s tribute documentaries.

[@larryhall7998]

Just brought back such great memory's

[@garyflinn3989]

I enjoyed the special when I saw it on TV. On the KZbin feed, I caught a flaw in which the later Mort Crim interview was muted but the background music was still playing. I hope that can be fixed.

[@axlrose316guns2]

great doc i grew up on this channel born in 71

[@revinhatol]

*GET UP AND GO 4 IT!*

[@dennisdaniels2992]

WDIV LOCAL 4 celebrating 75 year of television in Detroit!

[@jordangray9793]

I hope the reunion is added to KZbin, I live in NC now and miss y'all

[@ClickOnDetroitLocal4WDIV]

it will be!

[@christopherthorkon3997]

Very very well done.

[@stvitalkid7981]

Nice to see veteran TV pitchman Tom Sharp at 1:00:36. He became the national face and voice of Goodyear tires in Canada.

[@oldredbarnman]

I know that you need to get permission from MLB to show the games, but how about rebroadcasting some of those classic ones. Seeing that clip of The Bird's first start on May 15th 1976 was awesome. I remember watching that game.

[@jarrelljimerson3346]

@ 54:16, what was the name of that female reporter in front of the clock tower @ The University of Detroit (Univ. of Detroit Mercy)?

[@booberry349]

Sonny Eliot is still fun to watch we need another funny weatherman

[@jarrelljimerson3346]

@ 50:07, the Hon. Coleman A. Young, mayor of Detroit (D), 1974-1994.

[@xjohn1970]

cool

[@rachelletanzil4963]

Like wow

[@johnhalsey7789]

Fantastic documentary, brought back a lot of memories. I sincerely hope the current news editors and producers can reflect on their coverage of the 1967 riots and apply the same lessons to the present coverage of former president Trump and the Republican party. The coverage is so slanted now, it is unwatchable.

[@larryhall7998]

Sorry, but Trump is the Republican party, slanted because Trump is a depictable a$$h0le?

[@johnhalsey7789]

@@larryhall7998 Trump may be what you say, Larry - but that's still no excuse for biased coverage. Just like in 1967 ,it makes people sceptical when opinions and half-truths are being purported as news. People just want the truth, it's that simple.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

​@@johnhalsey7789 one thing i have learned in life - anyone who says they "just want the truth " mean they want THEIR truth

[@dm95422]

No mention of Mal Sillars & Ruth Spencer. Wow.

[@oldredbarnman]

Or Anne Thompson and Chris Hansen.

[@ClickOnDetroitLocal4WDIV]

we'll have more docs coming, don't worry

[@jarrelljimerson3346]

Hey, don't forget Van Earl Wright!

[@dm95422]

LOL @ 26:05

[@marcussmith3934]

Curtis Gadson looks old

[@eraldway]

Kevin Dietz and various other reporters countless false reporting ruined Channel 4 for me.

[@DJ_BROBOT]

And this 4 logo sucks..return to the old iconic 4 logo

[@neceynecey4679]

Too much of a sports news slant.