In this week’s issue… Alhart sets end date – WNBC’s Scarborough hits 50 – Garabedian relaunches WJIB – Rogers rebrands in Toronto – One less “Nash” in PA – Albany meets “Zoey”
By SCOTT FYBUSH
*Nothing in broadcasting lasts forever, but it sure looked like Rochester’s Don Alhart was coming close.
The 6 PM news anchor at WHAM-TV (Channel 13) was recently recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-serving TV news anchor in the world, having joined the ABC affiliate (then WOKR) straight out of Ithaca College back in 1966 and moved from the weather board to the anchor desk a few years later.
Alhart, who recently turned 80, has gradually scaled back his role at the station, dropping the 11 PM newscast and taking long vacations to his beloved Aruba. He’d been hinting about retirement, and last week he made the official announcement.
To nobody’s surprise, Alhart’s last day at the station will be June 6, 58 years to the day after he started (yes, that was 6/6/66), and we’re sure he’ll have a sendoff in style. It’s not just longevity that’s made Don a beloved figure here; he’s also been a constant presence all over the community with leadership roles in Rotary, the ARC of Monroe and the Al Sigl Community of Agencies.
He’s also been a supporter of the broadcasting community here in town, working with the late Danny Guilfoyle to host the annual holiday luncheon that brings us all together every December.
In today’s TV landscape, there will never be another Don Alhart – careers are much shorter and more itinerant. (As a point of comparison, the Rochester anchor with the next-longest tenure is WHEC-TV morning anchor Lynette Adams, who’s been there 30 years.)
The landmark 24th edition of the world-famous Tower Site Calendar is in production, and your support will determine whether it will be the final edition.
It’s been a complicated few years here, and as we finish up production of the new edition (including a cover reveal, coming later this week!), we’re considering the future of this staple of radio walls everywhere as we evaluate our workload going forward.
The proceeds from the calendar help sustain the reporting that we do on the broadcast industry here at Fybush Media, so your purchases matter a lot to us here – and if that matters to you, now’s the time to show that support with an order of the new Tower Site Calendar. (And we have the new Broadcast Historian’s Calendar for 2025 ready to ship, too. Why not order both?)
Visit the Fybush Media Store and place your order now for the next calendar, get a great discount on previous calendars, and check out our selection of books and videos, too!
In this week’s issue… iHeart axes Boston, NYC morning shows and more - Cumulus cuts in central PA - Southern Tier combo saved from silence - Ottawa FM relaunches - K-Love buys in the Burgh - Scranton gets "Loud" -...
In this week’s issue… "Hot" cools down in Providence, CT studios closed - GBH to sell Cape studios - A HEBA in Hamden? - New HDs in New York - Another Canadian AM to close
In this week’s issue… GBH shuffles mornings, prepares new show launches - NYSBA inducts Hall of Famers - More news-talk in the Hudson Valley - Remembering Dan Sys
In this week’s issue… Beasley cuts claim veteran jock - FCC releases LPFM decisions - AM towers coming down - New voices at Indie 88
