After more than 50 years, legendary broadcast journalist Chuck Scarborough has announced his plans to step down from his daily duties anchoring the news at NBC New York.
He made the announcement during Thursday’s 6 p.m. broadcast.
“The time has come to pass the torch,” Scarborough said on Nov. 21. “Fifty years, eight months and 17 days after I walked into the door here at the headquarters of the National Broadcasting Company, I will step away from this anchor desk.”
Scarborough’s last day anchoring at the station will be Dec. 12.
He will continue to be a part of the WNBC family and provide special reports and contribute to special station projects and programming.
Before moving to WNBC, Scarborough worked at TV stations including WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Mississippi; WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; WAGA-TV in Atlanta and WNAC-TV in Boston, according to his station biography.
Scarborough started his career with WNBC on March 25, 1974, anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday news. He left the 11 p.m. anchor chair in 2016, according to the station.
He celebrated his 50th anniversary on March 25, with events including a ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building.
“There is only one word: gratitude,” he said in a written statement. “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.”