As CBS News Radio ends on Friday, we now know who will anchor the final broadcasts heard on the network.
What We Know: Friday marks the conclusion of the CBS News Radio network. After announcing it would cease operations earlier this year, the network chose May 22nd as the final on-air date. It concludes 99 years of existence. Anchor Christopher Cruise will anchor the final broadcast at 11:31 PM ET on Friday evening. That newscast will be focused on the legacy and history of the network. Cruise will also anchor the final top-of-the-hour newscast at 11:00 PM ET.
What They Said: “I’ve been here almost five years. But some people have been here 30 and 40 years. When I lived in North Carolina, I had a plaque on my office wall that said, ‘I’m not from the South, but I got here as soon as I could.’ And I feel the same way about CBS News Radio. I tried all my life to get there, and finally made it at age 62… I just never thought it would end.” -Christopher Cruise
What Remains Unclear: Which current or former CBS News Radio personnel, if any, will join Cruise on the final newscast. Current and former CBS News Radio staffers will assemble at the network’s broadcast center on Friday evening to commemorate the end of the network, several sources told Barrett Media.
What It Means: Cruise faces the unenviable task of delivering the network’s final sign-off. A room full of people who deeply love and appreciate the network’s history will only heighten the emotion surrounding the moment. Many observers are eager to hear how the network chooses to close out its operations.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
