It’s been a topic of discussion in industry circles over the last several years. Now, it is official: One of NBCUniversal Local’s most prominent news anchors, a fixture of live over-the-air television in the New York Tri-State area since 1974, will officially retire following the 6pm newscast on WNBC-4 in three weeks.

It will bring to an end the storied career of Chuck Scarborough, but don’t call it a full retirement — he will serve as a “periodic contributor to special station projects and programming,” the station announced on Thursday evening (11/21).

Talk of Scarborough’s eventual career conclusion has permeated Gotham’s local news scene since July 2017, when he stepped down from the 11pm newscast at WNBC-4 after 42 years. This left Scarborough as the senior anchor on the 6pm newscast.

“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.”

“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 WNBC-4. “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.”

Amy Morris, Senior Vice President of News for WNBC-4 and sibling WNJU-47 in New York, added, “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. As he starts a new chapter, we honor Chuck by building on his legacy to make WNBC a force for the next 50 years.”

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Scarborough began his television career as an anchor and Operations Manager at WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Miss. He later served as an anchor/reporter for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Miss.; at WAGA-5 in Atlanta when it was a CBS affiliate; and at the former RKO General-owned WNAC-TV in Boston. Scarborough began his tenure with WNBC-4 on March 25, 1974.

RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION by Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson

I can remember many things from my childhood when it comes to local broadcast media. My favorite show as an infant? “Archie and Edith,” referencing All in the Family. Listening to “Super ‘CFL” and “89 WLS.” And, there was “Chuck and Sue.” From January 1980 through the remainder of my childhood years, Chuck Scarborough was teamed with Sue Simmons at WNBC, Channel 4. This included a 5pm newscast that saw Scarborough team up with Simmons on what was previously Live at Five. Like in other markets during the 1970s and 1980s, there were always standout news anchors, and New York had plenty — Jack Cafferty, Bill Beutel, Kaity Tong, Ernie Anastos, and John Roland come to mind. Scarborough, somehow, towered over this talented pool of crosstown talents. And while NBC used him sparingly as a national news anchor, Scarborough would largely remain rooted in the Big Apple, and as a Tri-State treasure. It’s hard to believe that Chuck Scarborough has been on WNBC-4 since I was in diapers, and even harder to fathom all that he’s covered, from Watergate to the latest regarding New York Mayor Eric Adams and the forthcoming transition at the White House.

Thank you, NBC, and thank you Chuck Scarborough, for continuously serving as a dedicated and emblematic example of what local TV does best, and what it has always and what it will continue to be — a beacon of essential information relevant to the community it serves.