WNBC anchor Chuck Scarborough has “announced his intention to ‘relinquish the anchor chair’ after more than a half-century at NBC 4 New York.
Scarborough will conclude his record-setting run as the New York City DMA’s longest-serving local television news anchor on Thursday, December 12 at 6 PM. Calling his plans “retirement with an asterisk,” Scarborough said that he will become a periodic contributor to special station projects and programming.
“There is only one word: gratitude,” said Scarborough. “Our WNBC viewers welcomed me into their homes for more than 50 years, trusting me to present the news free of any agenda, faithful to the fundamental principles of accuracy, objectivity and fairness—and to bring them vital, timely information during our darkest and brightest hours. That has been an extraordinary honor.”
Scarborough started working at WNBC on March 25, 1974, anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday news from Studio 6B in 30 Rockefeller Center – the current home of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2016, he stepped away from WNBC’s 11 p.m. anchor chair after more than 42 years but remained a co-anchor for the 6 p.m. daily newscast; continuing alongside co-news anchor Natalie Pasquarella, lead sports anchor Bruce Beck and meteorologist Janice Huff.
“Chuck Scarborough is the gold standard in American broadcast journalism. His skills as an anchor, reporter and newsroom leader are unmatched – and he is a pretty special guy off-camera too,” said Eric Lerner, president and general manager of NBC 4 New York. “We are fortunate that after Chuck’s last newscast next month, he will return to his News 4 New York family from time to time and report on special projects.”
“In a city and business that are constantly changing, Chuck has been the rock of 30 Rock, guiding viewers and news teams for half a century,” said Amy Morris, senior vice president of News for NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47. “As he starts a new chapter, we honor Chuck by building on his legacy to make WNBC a force for the next 50 years.”
Scarborough has reported for the National Broadcasting Company since 1974.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Scarborough began his television career as an anchor and operations manager at WLOX in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was anchor/reporter for WDAM in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; WAGA in Atlanta and WNAC in Boston. He has earned 36 local Emmy® Awards and was honored by the New York Chapter of Television Arts & Sciences with their 2014 “Governor’s Award” as recognition of his long and distinguished career in journalism.
Scarborough’s work has also earned awards from the Associated Press, New York Press Club; the Aviation and Space Writers; the Washington Review of Journalism’s Best in the Business; the Working Press Association; and the New York State Broadcasters Association. He has authored three novels, Stryker (1978), The Myrmidon Project (1980), and Aftershock (1991) and has authored articles for publication in New York Magazine, Boston Magazine, and American Home Magazine. A proficient aviator, Scarborough holds a commercial pilot’s license.