Yahoo Movies Dana Tyler, Emmy Award-Winning Anchor at CBS New York, Signs Off After 34 Years: 'Thank You'
The beloved journalist was half of New York's first Black anchor team in the 1990s, and has helped cover some of the Tri-State area's biggest stories
JP Yim/Getty
Dana Tyler, former news anchor for WCBS-TVDana Tyler has signed off after 34 years on the air with CBS affiliate WCBS-TV
The Ohio native won numerous Emmy Awards throughout her career, and was half of New York's first Black anchor team with the late Reggie Harris
The station thanked Tyler for tackling her job “with grace and diligence, attention to detail and an unwavering dedication"
Longtime CBS New York news anchor Dana Tyler has appeared on her final broadcast as an anchor after 34 years on the air.
The Emmy Award-winning journalist, 65, confirmed her departure from CBS affiliate WCBS-TV at the end of Wednesday’s 6 p.m. newscast.
“I've always felt privileged for these 34 years you've invited me, us, into your homes, your firehouses, your bodegas, so many places,” Tyler said as she sat alongside co-anchor Dick Brennan shortly before the end of the program.
In a statement, WCBS-TV applauded Tyler for tackling her job “with grace and diligence, attention to detail and an unwavering dedication to the power and absolute necessity of solid journalism.”
“Dana: Your voice, your intellect, your thoughtfulness in everything that you do makes us love you all the more,” the station added.
Tyler’s journalism career began in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where she worked as a reporter for nine years at CBS affiliate WBNS-TV, according to the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
In July 1990, Tyler joined WCBS-TV. She was later promoted to anchor, and joined the late Reggie Harris to make up New York’s first Black anchor team.
“There was nothing like it then, and we were very proud of that,” Tyler said on Wednesday’s broadcast.
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Inclusiveness in the newsroom was the biggest change Tyler saw in more than three decades with the station. She acknowledged there is “still a lot of work to be done” in the area, but is “so proud to be part of that history” for WCBS-TV.
Tyler is also “deeply proud” of the commitment to journalism she has shared with her co-workers over the years, whom she thanked for their support.
“[I’m] so deeply proud of our shared commitment to journalism, to the truth and to questioning what’s wrong, and enacting change for the people whom we work for in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut,” she said Wednesday.
Tyler helped cover some of New York's biggest stories, including the attacks on September 11, 2001, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 2009 Hudson plane crash and more.
Related: Inside the ‘Special Report’ That Led to News Anchor’s Surprise On-Camera Proposal: 'Speechless'
Even amid bad news, Tyler said she always did her best “to be respectful and compassionate” while covering each and every story. “Because I know behind every story is an individual, a family, a community,” she added.
Additionally, Tyler has long had a passion for the arts, leading her to cover some of the biggest shows in New York City during her time with WCBS-TV.
Tyler has won six Emmys during her time with local affiliate, according to The New York Post. She also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Association of Black Journalists in 2014, per the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
“Thank you Channel 2 viewers,” Tyler said during her sign-off on Wednesday.
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