By Frank Macek
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| Depiction of Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw & Peter Jennings |
For decades, every city had one. The trusted face. The commanding voice. The name you instinctively turned to in times of crisis or celebration. They were the TV news legends—local anchors whose presence in living rooms was as familiar as family. But in 2025, as media habits shift and generations change, we have to ask: Is the era of the TV news legend over?
The short answer? Probably.
Local TV anchors once held a unique position in American culture. They weren’t just broadcasters; they were institutions. Think of Walter Cronkite at the national level or names like Dick Goddard, Doug Adair, and Romona Robinson in Cleveland. These were journalists who stayed rooted in one city, building long-term trust with their communities over decades. When they retired, it wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a cultural event.
Take WKYC in Cleveland, for example. Over the years, the station has been home to some of Northeast Ohio’s most iconic broadcast figures. Jay Miltner, the voice of Channel 3 for decades, brought gravitas and trust to every newscast. Doug Adair and Mona Scott formed one of the region’s most memorable anchor duos, commanding both respect and ratings. Later, Romona Robinson broke barriers as the first African American woman to anchor a nightly newscast in Cleveland. These weren’t just newscasters—they were symbols of stability and trust.
WKYC's legacy is rich with personalities who shaped the station’s identity and connected deeply with viewers. Al Roker, now a national figure on NBC’s "Today" show, got his start at WKYC. Leon Bibb, a revered voice in Cleveland journalism, also passed through Channel 3’s doors, later finishing his primary anchor career at WEWS before returning to WKYC, where he currently contributes special commentary and reflections on community issues. And more recently, Russ Mitchell, a former CBS anchor, brought national-level gravitas to the WKYC anchor desk, continuing that tradition of earned trust.
But today, that model is shifting. Part of the reason is generational. Viewers under 40 consume news differently. They don’t sit down for 6 p.m. broadcasts; they scroll headlines on phones, watch clips on TikTok, or get push alerts from apps. Loyalty to an individual anchor is rare when your main news source is a rotating feed of content.
Another factor is industry turnover. Budget cuts, burnout, and corporate consolidation mean fewer anchors stay in one market long enough to become legends. Many stations now prioritize versatility over tenure—favoring journalists who can report, shoot, edit, and post across platforms. It’s a necessary adaptation in a competitive landscape, but it also makes it harder to build the kind of deep audience connection that used to define local news.
Even at WKYC, where the station’s brand has long been associated with credibility, the emphasis has expanded. Anchors are now encouraged to build their own social media presence, interact with viewers online, and promote stories across digital platforms. While this increases reach, it also fragments attention. A newscast used to be a destination. Now, it’s just one node in a complex web of content.
The rise of digital-first branding adds to the shift. Modern anchors are expected to be social media personalities, content creators, and brand ambassadors. That’s a lot to juggle. For some, the constant pressure to be visible and engaging across multiple platforms undercuts the gravitas that once came with the job. It’s difficult to cultivate the quiet authority of a Doug Adair when you’re also expected to go viral on Instagram.
And yet—despite all this—audiences still crave trust.
In moments of crisis, viewers don’t want a trending TikTok; they want clarity, compassion, and credibility. This is where the spirit of the TV news legend still flickers. During major weather events, breaking tragedies, or civic milestones, local anchors can still rise to the moment—bringing context, calm, and consistency. WKYC’s response during major snowstorms, political unrest, and public health emergencies has demonstrated that the anchor desk still matters. Viewers still tune in when it counts.
So is the era over completely? Not quite. But it is evolving.
The next generation of TV news legends won’t look exactly like those who came before. They might not have 30-year tenures, but they will have cross-platform influence. They might not be household names across an entire DMA, but they could command fierce loyalty within niche or digital-first audiences. They will still matter—but in different ways.
Consider someone like Betsy Kling at WKYC. As Chief Meteorologist and anchor, she’s become one of the station’s most recognizable and trusted voices. But her presence isn’t limited to the weather segment. She’s part of WKYC’s digital storytelling strategy, engages with viewers on social media, and contributes to long-form content on streaming platforms like WKYC+. She represents the hybrid model of the modern TV news figure—part journalist, part brand, all credible.
This hybrid model is both a challenge and an opportunity. It demands more from journalists but also opens new doors for connection. Stations like WKYC are experimenting with streaming content, podcasting, and community-driven initiatives like the "Heartstrings" series, which reflects the emotional core of Cleveland’s stories. These are modern forms of local legend-building—even if they don’t always look like the 6 o’clock news of yesteryear.
At the same time, the loss of long-term institutional memory is real. When anchors leave after a few years, there’s less continuity. The audience must re-learn who they trust, and that process takes time. It’s no coincidence that many viewers still gravitate toward legacy names, even in retirement. There’s a reason why old clips of Dick Goddard forecasts still circulate online—they represent a kind of steady assurance that’s harder to come by in today’s fast-moving media ecosystem.
Ultimately, the TV news legend isn’t just a relic of the past. It’s a symbol of something we still need: journalists who stay, who listen, and who reflect their communities with integrity. The format may change. The platforms may shift. But the value of trust, presence, and authenticity? That’s timeless.
As local news continues to evolve, the path to legend status will look different. It might come from a mix of live coverage, digital engagement, community involvement, and resilience in the face of shrinking newsrooms. It won’t be easy, and it won’t follow the same script—but it’s still possible.
So, is the era of the TV news legend over?
No. It’s being rewritten—at stations like WKYC and across America. The legends of tomorrow may not sit behind the same desk for 30 years, but they’ll still be the voices we trust when it matters most.
And that’s the legacy worth preserving.
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