Back To School For NY Anchor Ernie Anastos

Ernie Anastos has announced he will soon begin a special program of studies at Harvard Business School in media and executive management preparing for the future. With that decision, he leaves his position at an evening news anchor at Fox-owned WNYW New York after more than 15 years.

The veteran journalist has enrolled at Harvard Business School for various studies in leadership management principles with additional plans for a specialized executive education program in entertainment, media and sports.

“I am looking forward to the future in the next chapter of my broadcasting career. This is a wonderful educational opportunity to expand on my media experience and create new programming for New York viewers,” Anastos says.

“Ernie is a true New York news legend,” said Lew Leone, WNYW SVP and general manager. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for over 15 years. He has provided exceptional leadership, mentorship and positivity in our newsroom and his presence will truly be missed. The entire Fox 5 team congratulates him on his wonderful career to date and we wish him much happiness and success in the next chapter at Harvard Business School.”

Anastos thanked WNYW management for their warm support. “I will miss my close colleagues at Fox 5 and can’t say enough about New Yorkers who are the best TV news viewers in the world.”

In his over 40-year television career, Anastos has been consistently recognized for his excellence in broadcasting, garnering 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including the prestigious Lifetime Emmy Award and the Edward R. Murrow Journalism Award. Anastos has reported stories from the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, to the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson, Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr. In his vast career he has interviewed world leaders and US Presidents including Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and South African Bishop, Desmond Tutu, and former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Beyond reporting, his brand trademark is producing feature TV segments called “Positively Ernie,” which has been expanded into full-length special programs on several occasions.

Additionally, Anastos is a celebrated author of two youth oriented books and head of his own production and media companies. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Northeastern University, Anastos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He also holds five honorary doctorate degrees from several colleges and universities. He is married with children and grandchildren and lives in Westchester, N.Y.