Retired WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree Inducted Into Journalism Hall of Fame

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.