Longtime CBS Philadelphia Anchor Jim Donovan to Hang Up His News Hat After 22 Years
In a surprise announcement, beloved morning show anchor Jim Donovan is retiring from CBS Philadelphia after two decades behind the desk. The newsman, who has spent 39 years in broadcast news, made it clear that his decision to leave was not taken lightly.
Donovan, who has become an institution in the city's media landscape, cited the grueling early morning hours as a major contributor to his exhaustion over the years. His final broadcast will air on December 19th, leaving viewers with one last opportunity to bid farewell to their trusted news anchor.
Throughout his illustrious career, Donovan has accumulated an impressive resume that includes stints at NBCUniversal's CNBC and WGHP in North Carolina. He also spent time working as a consumer reporter for CBS Philadelphia before taking the reins of the weekday morning newscast in 2016.
Over the years, Donovan has won a staggering 15 Emmys for his reporting, earning him recognition as one of the industry's most accomplished journalists. His commitment to advocacy and community engagement has endeared him to audiences across the region, with CBS Philadelphia President Kelly Frank calling him a "Philadelphia institution."
Donovan himself remains tight-lipped about his post-retirement plans, but he did hint that he looks forward to enjoying more normal hours – albeit without the alarm clock's jarring ring. As he prepares to trade in his suit for a life of relative quietude, viewers can expect on-air tributes during the week of December 15th.
While Donovan's departure marks the end of an era at CBS Philadelphia, it is clear that his impact will be felt for years to come – as he jumps off the "TV news rollercoaster" and onto a new horizon.
In a surprise announcement, beloved morning show anchor Jim Donovan is retiring from CBS Philadelphia after two decades behind the desk. The newsman, who has spent 39 years in broadcast news, made it clear that his decision to leave was not taken lightly.
Donovan, who has become an institution in the city's media landscape, cited the grueling early morning hours as a major contributor to his exhaustion over the years. His final broadcast will air on December 19th, leaving viewers with one last opportunity to bid farewell to their trusted news anchor.
Throughout his illustrious career, Donovan has accumulated an impressive resume that includes stints at NBCUniversal's CNBC and WGHP in North Carolina. He also spent time working as a consumer reporter for CBS Philadelphia before taking the reins of the weekday morning newscast in 2016.
Over the years, Donovan has won a staggering 15 Emmys for his reporting, earning him recognition as one of the industry's most accomplished journalists. His commitment to advocacy and community engagement has endeared him to audiences across the region, with CBS Philadelphia President Kelly Frank calling him a "Philadelphia institution."
Donovan himself remains tight-lipped about his post-retirement plans, but he did hint that he looks forward to enjoying more normal hours – albeit without the alarm clock's jarring ring. As he prepares to trade in his suit for a life of relative quietude, viewers can expect on-air tributes during the week of December 15th.
While Donovan's departure marks the end of an era at CBS Philadelphia, it is clear that his impact will be felt for years to come – as he jumps off the "TV news rollercoaster" and onto a new horizon.
. He's been breaking news for Philly for what feels like forever! I know those early morning hours can be tough, but I think that's part of why he became such an amazing anchor – the guy's got stamina 
. 15 Emmys? No surprise there! The fact that he's leaving us with more time to relax and enjoy life is actually kinda cool 
. He's not going out without a bang though - we're gonna get those on-air tributes, so it'll be a great way to say goodbye 
. Whatever Jim does next, I'm sure he'll be awesome at it... because, well, he always was 
I'm so gonna miss Jim Donovan on TV lol I always thought he was way more chill than those other morning anchors 
who have to deal with that crazy early morning time. I mean, I get it though, 22 years is a looong time! Can't say I blame him for wanting out of the alarm clock madness. Anyone know what's next for him tho? 
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He's been such a staple in Philly for so long. 22 years is a crazy amount of time, I feel like just yesterday he was hosting that morning show 
. I hope he gets to enjoy some normal hours and can finally get some shut-eye without the alarm clock going off 
. I've seen him win all those Emmys and he's always been so committed to his community 
. You gotta wonder, did CBS Philly feel like they were holding him back? Was it the grueling early morning hours really the deciding factor, or was there something more going on behind the scenes? 
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The media landscape is always changing, but when you're a household name like Jim Donovan, do you feel pressured to keep pushing the envelope or do you take the road less traveled? 
I think Jim Donovan's decision to retire makes sense, considering how grueling morning anchor gigs can be. He's had an amazing career, winning 15 Emmys, but it's clear that the exhaustion was taking its toll 
. His commitment to telling stories that matter has inspired so many, and I hope whoever takes over after him can fill those big shoes 
. And let's be real, 22 years is a looong time at the helm even for someone as amazing as Jim Donovan 
. 22 years is a long time, and it's no wonder he's exhausted 
. Here's a little diagram to remember Jim Donovan's legacy:
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he's more than just an anchor, he's a part of our family's daily routine