News anchor

A News Anchor (US) or Newsreader (UK) is a person that works in television or radio that hosts a regular news program or provides occasional on air news updates.

News anchors generally read prepared scripts, but in emergencies, they often have to ad-lib commentary on the air. Many news anchors are also involved in writing and/or editing the news for their programs. Sometimes news anchors interview guests and moderate panels or discussions. Some provide commentary for the audience during parades and other events.

American news anchors are frequently imitated and lampooned, including being the subject of long running gags on Saturday Night Live and the subject of sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Murphy Brown and NewsRadio.

Notable American News Anchors

• Tom Brokaw, NBC News
• Connie Chung, CNN
• Walter Cronkite CBS News
• Sam Donaldson, ABC News
• Laurie Dhue, FOX News
• Brit Hume, FOX News
• Peter Jennings, ABC News
• Ted Koppel, ABC News, Nightline
• Jim Lehrer. PBS (Public Broadcasting System)
• Jane Pauley, NBC News
• Dan Rather, CBS News
• Tim Russert, NBC News
• Diane Sawyer, ABC News
• Maria Shriver, NBC News
• Brian Williams, CNBC
• Paula Zahn, CNN
• Aaron Brown, CNN

Notable British Newsreaders

• Michael Buerke BBC
• Anna Ford BBC
• Trevor McDonald ITN
• Angela Rippon, BBC (First Woman newsreader on British television, now retired)
• Moira Stewart, BBC

Note: "ABC" can stand for American Broadcasting Company as well as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.