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Longtime Traffic Reporter Mark Roberts To Leave WRAL News
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WRAL-TV Trafficologist Mark Roberts |
The face of Triangle television’s morning rush-hour is set to change next month when longtime traffic reporter Mark Roberts leaves the WRAL-TV news team to form his own media and communications company.
The new venture–Mark Roberts Enterprises, Inc.—will give the 17-year station veteran the opportunity to host television commercials, make motivational speeches and take part in a variety of other non-news business activities. Roberts’ last day on the WRAL-TV Morning News is scheduled for Friday, September 28.
“Mark has excelled at every job we’ve given him over the years,” said WRAL-TV General Manager Jim Hefner. “He has defined the traffic reporter role in this market and we will miss his unique combination of reporting expertise and personality in our morning newscasts.”
Mark Roberts recently hosted WRAL’s Pops in the Park as one of his many roles over the years at the station. |
“It was a heart-wrenching decision to leave the morning show, but I’m beginning a new chapter in my life that offers a new challenge and I’m very excited about it,” said Roberts. “WRAL has been my home for nearly 18 years and thank goodness I’m not really saying goodbye.”
Although Roberts will officially leave WRAL News, he will maintain a business relationship with the television station and corporate parent Capitol Broadcasting Company. Roberts will continue hosting WRAL-TV’s weekly “Brain Game” quiz bowl program. He will also take on new duties as host of the pre- and post-game programs for each Carolina Hurricanes game on Capitol’s WCMC-FM—the team’s new flagship radio station.
“Mark is passionate about hockey and enthusiastic about this new reporting assignment,” says George Habel, VP of Capitol Sports. “I feel like we’ve given the Canes a seventh man!”
Roberts has more than a reporter’s beat…he plays the drums for CBC’s Transmit This, another role he will continue. |
Roberts joined WRAL-TV as a News Reporter in 1990. He covered a wide range of news events and traveled extensively with the troops from Fort Bragg, accompanying them to the Middle East, Haiti, and Albania. In addition to many years covering general assignments, Roberts served as chief reporter in the station’s Fayetteville, Durham and Wilson newsrooms. In 1999, WRAL tapped Roberts as the station’s first fulltime traffic reporter—a role he has held ever since.
“I am grateful for the tremendous opportunities WRAL has provided me over the years,” states Roberts. “Besides, where else would a grown man get to call himself a Trafficologist with a degree from Asphalt U?”
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Strange for this capcom story.
