He’s been reporting for NBC since 1974 and is a fixture in the New York Tri-State Area’s local TV news scene. Now, Chuck Scarborough is being honored for his 50 years on the air at WNBC-TV.
All week long, special tributes to Scarborough will be seen.
Scarborough’s time in New York began on March 25, 1974, when he anchored WNBC’s local news from Studio 6B in 30 Rockefeller Center – the current home of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Before that, Scarborough, a U.S. Air Force veteran, served as an anchor reporter at WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Miss.; WAGA-TV in Atlanta; and WNAC-TV in Boston. He began his career in the role of OM and news anchor for WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Miss.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Scarborough began his television career as an anchor and operations manager at WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was anchor/reporter for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; WAGA-TV in Atlanta and WNAC-TV in Boston.
“Chuck Scarborough is a giant in American journalism and the face of television news for generations of viewers, including me,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of WNBC-TV. “He is also the longest serving television anchor in the largest, most prestigious television market in America – making his 50-year anniversary even more remarkable. This is a milestone that may never be broken and a wonderful testament to Chuck’s life-long passion for storytelling, his commitment to journalistic excellence and the deep admiration he holds among all of us.”
Amy Morris, who serves as SVP/News for WNBC-TV and sibling WNJU-47, added, “In a city defined by change, Chuck has been a constant force for truth and exceptional journalism. A half century after he walked into 30 Rock, he continues to lead by example, collaborating with the team and challenging everyone to make every newscast even better.”
At the microsite nbcnewyork.com/chuck one can find exclusive, archived video content from 1974 through the present of Scarborough’s reporting highlights. This includes video footage of Scarborough reporting aboard the now-retired Concorde jet, closing a 1980s newscast while “Taxi Dancing” at the Ziegfield Ballroom and covering the region’s biggest stories from 30 Rock and in the field.
Meanwhile, on Monday (3/25) at 10am Scarborough will join representatives from the Empire State Building and WNBC to “flip the switch” and light the Empire State Building in honor of his 50th anniversary. The special ceremony will be emceed by Scarborough’s 6pm co-anchor, Natalie Pasquarella. The ceremony will be streamed live on the station’s “NBC New York News” streaming channel.
On Thursday (3/28) at 7pm WNBC will air a 30-minute special tribute to Scarborough on the station’s over-the-air and digital platforms. Hosted by WNBC News Anchor David Ushery, “Chuck Scarborough’s 50th Anniversary” will look back at memorable moments from Scarborough’s 50-year career at WNBC. The broadcast special will also include interviews with Scarborough’s colleagues from the past and present.
At 11pm, Scarborough spent many years alongside Sue Simmons, the now-retired news anchor who joined WNBC in 1980 and exited in June 2012, when her contract was not renewed. It was the longest run for an anchor team in New York TV history.
