KTHV Little Rock News Anchor Craig O’Neill To Retire

Craig O’Neill

Tegna CBS affiliate KTHV Little Rock, Ark., today announced the retirement of evening news anchor Craig O’Neill. “Yes, I’m retiring and this time I mean it,” O’Neill stated, referring to his delayed- retirement announcements in recent years. After 24 years at the station, O’Neill officially signs off for the last time as THV11’s 10 p.m. news anchor on Dec. 29.

“Craig’s contributions to Central Arkansas are notable from his undying commitment to improving the lives of Arkansans to his irreverent sense of humor that had us all wanting more,” said Marty Schack, KTHV president-GM. “He is a treasure to our community and while we may not see him on air after this year, I know that Craig will continue to make an impact on Arkansans young and old.”

O’Neill’s distinguished television career includes a regional Emmy award and an Edward R. Murrow award. This year, he was inducted into the NATAS Mid-America Gold Circle for his 50-plus years in broadcasting.

From his ability to speak on 60 years of University of Arkansas Razorback sports history, to interviewing a former president of the United States on topics like the economy or world affairs, it’s Craig’s versatility that the station highlighted. He danced on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, interviewed music icon Dolly Parton, led election coverage with his extensive knowledge of Arkansas politics and broadcast encouragement from his kitchen table during the pandemic.

News Director Shayla Teater said: “Working with Craig is as fun and fulfilling as you might imagine. His passion for reading, for highlighting real Arkansans stories and watching his pure joy as those around grow are my favorite things about him.” Teater adds his “ability to get huge interviews and his incredible writing will be missed, but most of all we will miss his leadership, his zest for life, and his humor.”

O’Neill has also hosted more than 9,000 charity events and has helped raise over $40 million for Arkansas and its communities.

His impact will live on, the station said, as will his passion project: reading to Arkansas children and helping ignite a promise within them to be lifetime readers.

“The only thing I’ll say,” O’Neill adds, “is that it is time to move on and leave THV11 in the capable hands of the strong personalities that grace the “B.J. Sams Studio” day and night. At THV11, our legacy is our strength.”