CBS News released a flashback video featuring the final radio broadcast of pioneering journalist Douglas Edwards, introduced by journalist Major Garrett.
The release serves as a tribute to the foundational era of American broadcast journalism. By highlighting Edwards, the network acknowledges the transition from radio to television and the establishment of the news anchor role.
Edwards began presenting CBS Television News in 1947 [1]. He is recognized as the first person to hold the role of a television news anchor. While he left the television anchor position in 1962 [1], he continued his career with the network for several more decades.
His tenure at CBS spanned over 40 years, remaining with the organization until his final broadcast in 1988 [1]. The flashback video captures the conclusion of a career that bridged the gap between the early days of electronic news and the modern era of mass media.
This retrospective comes as the network prepares for a significant structural change. CBS News plans to shut down its radio service on May 22 [2]. The service has operated for nearly 100 years [3], acting as a primary source of information for listeners across the U.S.
The closure of the radio wing marks the end of a legacy that began with figures like Edwards. The network used the flashback to honor the historical impact of the service before its official sign-off.
“Douglas Edwards began presenting CBS Television News in 1947”
The closure of CBS News Radio represents a broader shift in media consumption, moving away from traditional linear audio broadcasts toward digital and on-demand platforms. By pairing the announcement of the shutdown with a tribute to Douglas Edwards, the network is framing the end of its radio service as the closing of a historical chapter that defined the professional standards of the American news anchor.
