Legendary New York City TV anchor Chuck Scarborough is bidding farewell to WNBC after an incredible 50-year career, The Post can exclusively reveal.
The 81-year-old news icon is set to announce his departure during Thursday’s 6 p.m. broadcast of NBC News 4 New York, according to a source familiar with the situation. Scarborough shared the news with his colleagues at a meeting earlier in the day, stating that his final broadcast will be on December 12.
Describing his time at the network as “historic,” Scarborough expressed his desire to “spread his wings,” as reported by a source close to him. The network spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, and no replacement has been named yet.
An NBC source referred to Scarborough’s departure as an expected move, noting that the anchor had been gradually reducing his workload to four days a week. The source also mentioned the challenges facing the news industry, including cord-cutting and layoffs, making it an opportune time for Scarborough to retire.
Hailing from Pittsburgh and a veteran of the Air Force, Scarborough began his television career at WLOX-TV in Mississippi before moving to WAGA-TV in Atlanta and WNAC-TV in Boston. In 1974, he joined WNBC-TV as the lead anchor for the new 5 p.m. NewsCenter 4 broadcast, marking the beginning of his illustrious tenure.
Throughout his time at WNBC, Scarborough covered major New York stories such as the 1977 blackout, the September 11 terror attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He also reported on breaking news from various locations worldwide, including Europe, Russia, the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, and South America.
Over the years, Scarborough shared the anchor desk with notable colleagues like Jim Hartz, Jack Cafferty, Sue Simmons, and more. Simmons, in particular, co-anchored with Scarborough for an impressive 32 years, setting a record as the longest-running anchor team in New York City television news history.
Earlier this year, Scarborough was honored for his remarkable 50-year run at WNBC with the Empire State Building lit up in blue and gold on March 25. Reflecting on his career milestone, he expressed gratitude for the journey that led him to this momentous occasion.
Chuck Scarborough’s legacy as a respected journalist and beloved anchor will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the New York media landscape. As he prepares to bid farewell to WNBC, viewers and colleagues alike will undoubtedly miss his professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to delivering the news.
