Former WRAL anchor David Crabtree finds new purpose in retirement' role at PBS North Carolina
Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree is inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023.
A year after leaving the WRAL News anchor desk, David Crabtree is one of six people who were inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Crabtree joins Robert J. Brown, Curry Kirkpatrick, JJ Miller, Janet Northen and Kenny Smith in being recognized for achievements and influence across their respective fields of media and journalism.
Crabtree, a native of Tennessee, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and became a television reporter in Nashville for WKRN. His first full-time anchor job came at WITN in Washington, NC. He then worked in Denver, Colorado, as a reporter and anchor for both KMGH and KCNC before joining WRAL-TV in 1994.
David Crabtree anchors final WRAL newscast of his 40-year TV career
Now Crabtree is CEO of PBS North Carolina, and he sees his TV job through a different lens.
For years, I was on one side of the camera, now I'm on another, he said. It's the same space, the same people, but they look different from this perspective.
Crabtree retired from WRAL News after almost 28 years, but instead of relaxing on the beach, he chose a different path.
I joke about this sometimes, he said. I don't know how to retire. When I've thought about doing it, I realized there's so much more to be done.
The programming he delivers statewide has a broad audience of all ages from Murphy to Manteo. Crabtree has a special affinity for the PBS characters that nearly everyone has grown up with. It's personal.
I look at my own grandson when he comes to visit watching cartoons on the PBS Kids Channel, and you feel good about that, he said.
You also realize that if it wasn't that they would be watching something, so why not give them something positive that will remain with them? So it is generational.
Crabtree is re-energized in his new role.
It has given me a new purpose, he said. I feel like 40-plus years in commercial broadcasting prepared me to be here.
WRAL anchor David Crabtree reflects on 40-year TV career
Induction into the NC Media and Journalism Hall of Fame was an honor he took a moment to process.
To have the chance to walk alongside some of the greats in journalism throughout the country is it's just hard to process. It gives you imposter syndrome, he said. I should be the emcee again for this or waiting the tables. No, I shouldn't be a part of this. But it's a real honor.
Six named to NC Media and Journalism Hall of Fame In his career, David Crabtree has won a DuPont Award, 16 Emmys, multiple Radio Television News Directors Association Reporter of the Year awards (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), a Gabriel Award and the 2014 North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Anchor of the Year.
Robert J. Brown is the founder, chairman and CEO of the management consulting, market research and public relations firm B&C Associates.
Curry Kirkpatrick is a legendary sportswriter who changed the style of collegiate basketball reporting.
JJ Miller is senior vice president at Sharecare, a leading digital health company, and the founder of a media consulting company specializing in strategic video and audio storytelling.
Janet Northen is the executive vice president and director of agency communications at McKinney, and an expert at creating buzz-worthy public relations for creative campaigns.
Kenny Smith is an Emmy-nominated analyst known for his insightful commentary on TNT's Inside the NBA and CBS's NCAA March Madness Men's basketball coverage.
An induction ceremony scheduled at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill and was hosted by Rochelle Riley, director of arts and culture for the city of Detroit, a 2019 NC Hall of Fame Inductee and a 1981 graduate of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
Thanks to WRAL.com for this Capcom story & to WRAL-TV's Amanda Lamb for these Capcom photos.
Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree (center, surrounded by WRAL colleagues past & present) is inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree is inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree is inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree is inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. WRAL-TV's Amanda Lamb congratulates retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree on his induction into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. WRAL-TV retiree Chad Flowers (left) congratulates retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree on his induction into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on Friday, April 21, 2023. WRAL-TV's Amanda Lamb (l to r), Corp's Monica Laliberte, WRAL-TV's Debra Morgan and former WRAL-TV alum Andrea Moody attend the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame induction for retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree on Friday, April 21, 2023. WRAL-TV's Amanda Lamb & WRAL-TV retiree Chad Flowers attend the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame induction for retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/07/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has announced the appointment of Kathy Samuels ...
01/07/2026
Shade has announced Custom Objects and Automations, a platform expansion releasing June 29, 2026, that adds database and workflow automation capabilities direct...
01/07/2026
FOR-A America has announced the addition of Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz to its U.S. sales team. Both report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strate...
01/07/2026
NBC Sports will air all 15 MLB games nationally on Sunday, July 5, across NBC, P...
01/07/2026
Clear-Com has announced a wireless communications upgrade for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, deploying FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems across both prod...
01/07/2026
England's performance team will use Sony's STATSports APEX GPS tracking system to monitor player physical data in real time during FIFA World Cup 2026 m...
01/07/2026
Adder Technology has announced the appointment of Neil Hillier as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hillier succeeds Adrian Dickens, who transiti...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. has announced a strategic transaction creating two separate companies. The Production and Playout business will continue as Bitcentral, now own...
01/07/2026
DAZN has announced results from DAZN48, its creator initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Launched in April 2026, the program received thousands of applicatio...
01/07/2026
Sarah Rose, VP, global services, Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT), will be inducted into the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame at t...
01/07/2026
Gravity Media and the World Economic Forum's production team provided broadc...
01/07/2026
Insight Productions has announced the launch of Insight Storm, a 53-foot mobile broadcast unit built for esports production. The truck is built around a Ross Vi...
01/07/2026
ESPN has announced several content initiatives marking America's 250th anniversary, as part of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Celebrates America pro...
01/07/2026
Eleven production kits, REMI workflows, and cloud distribution bring 40 World Cu...
01/07/2026
The conference also discussed the opportunities offered an industry that is endu...
01/07/2026
The Mountain West Conference has announced the launch of MW , a direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe. The platform will carry live Mountain We...
01/07/2026
New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more
Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...
01/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
01/07/2026
Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals
Sweetwater and Andertons M...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Manfrotto Introduces UNCOVER, the new premium camera bag collection for modern h...
01/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Powers Houston Tamil Sangam Literacy Competition
Brie Clayton July 1, 2026
0 Comments
Volunteers use ATEM Mini Pro, Blackmagic Desig...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
PlayBox Technology has published State of Broadcast Infrastructure 2026, an in-depth industry research report examining the technologies, operational challenges...
01/07/2026
LONDON, UK, 1 JULY Jigsaw24 has appointed Alan Henry as Head of Sales for Media and Entertainment, reinforcing its continued investment in helping broadcaster...
01/07/2026
Content Vault, the patent-pending secure content distribution platform protecting high-value media from disclosures, theft and unauthorised access, today announ...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. a leading provider of enterprise software and digital media solutions for news, sports and entertainment broadcasters, as well as streaming pla...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through nation...
01/07/2026
Chyron Launches the All-New Chyron Academy: A Reimagined, Hands-On Learning Expe...
01/07/2026
Amplium Captures Kawasaki Brave Thunders Game with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersiv...
01/07/2026
Boris FX Optics Expands Plugin Support to Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinit...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
01/07/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign featuring Deborah Meaden challenges consumers to rethink everyday bathroom wasteWednesday 1 July 2026
Fussy asks Bri...
01/07/2026
Constituency-level analysis reveals where girls miss out most on sport - and where targeted action could unlock more than £640 million in economic and health be...
01/07/2026
Wuppertal July 1, 2026
Riedel and SKAARHOJ Expand Collaboration With SimplyLive IntegrationRiedel Communications today announced an expanded collaboration wit...
01/07/2026
Apple today introduced power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio, a groundbre...
Former WRAL anchor David Crabtree finds new purpose in retirement' role at PBS North Carolina
