After 42 years, Fred Roggin is stepping away from the local television scene.
Roggin’s final day with Los Angeles’ Channel 4 is Thursday. He told the Los Angeles Times while he’s still interested in doing some television production work, he’s reached the end of his time as a local sports anchor.
“I realized dreams I didn’t know I had,” said Roggin. “I’ve been the luckiest and most blessed guy in the world.”
Roggin will continue to host Roggin & Rodney with former USC and NFL quarterback Rodney Peete. The show airs from 12:00-3:00 PM PT on AM 570 LA Sports.
The 65-year-old told the Times the decreased priority of local sportscasts on local television is part of the reason for his departure. He noted changes in the way viewers consume news coverage has changed his position.
“That’s not how local sports is approached around the country,” Roggin said. “It’s scores and highlights. With all due respect to everyone that does it — and does such a magnificent job — it just doesn’t carry the relevance it used to…That is why you see local sportscasts dying.”
