Anchor/Reporter Sports (per diem)

CBS News and Stations; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 165,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO

Job summary

WBBM-TV, the CBS Owned & Operated station in Chicago, seeks a dynamic Anchor/Reporter (Sports) to lead sports coverage across platforms. This per diem role requires a writer with concise, platform-tailored content for linear TV, streaming, and digital spaces.

The ideal candidate brings experience as a sports anchor/reporter in a major market, a modern journalism mindset, and a commanding on-air presence for studio and remote broadcasts. Strong Chicago sports knowledge is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sports Anchor/Reporter in a major market (Top 10 preferred).
• Modern journalism mindset and passion for digital, streaming, and social storytelling formats.
• Strong on-air presence and versatile presentation for linear, streaming, and digital content.
• Deep knowledge of Chicago and national sports including pro, college, and high school.

Responsibilities

• Anchor & Host: lead energetic sports segments on linear broadcasts and host sports specials.
• Multi-Platform Content Generation: write, produce, and adapt sports content for TV, streaming, and social platforms.
• Remote & Field Reporting: anchor and report live from marquee events and breaking sports news.
• Modern Storytelling & Enterprise: develop character-driven enterprise stories for a digital-first newsroom.
• Digital & Social Strategy: execute a proactive social media strategy to engage fans in real time.
• Linear Writing & Segment Scripting: craft sharp, conversational copy for high-impact broadcasts.
• Journalistic Integrity: maintain high standards in a fast-paced multi-platform environment.

Skills

Sports anchoring

Multi-platform storytelling

Live remote reporting

Writing excellence

Collaboration

Schedule flexibility

Job description

WBBM-TV, the CBS Owned & Operated station in Chicago, is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Anchor/Reporter (Sports) to help lead and shape our sports coverage across all platforms. This is a per diem position.

Local newsrooms and sports journalism are evolving rapidly, and this role is built for the modern era of media. The ideal candidate will be an anchor and multi-platform storyteller who actively drives engagement across digital channels, social media, and our 24/7 streaming network. Beyond the studio anchor desk, you will host key sports specials, anchor and report live remotely from major events, and enterprise compelling stories that connect with Chicago’s passionate sports community.

We are looking for an engaging, relatable personality and insightful expert who looks far beyond basic scores and stats and must be an exceptional writer capable of scripting concise, creative, and platform-tailored content for linear television, streaming broadcasts, and digital platforms.

Chicago is one of the greatest, most intense sports towns in the world. From legendary professional franchises to regional college sports and historic high school programs, our audience demands deep market knowledge, authentic connection, and modern storytelling that meets viewers wherever they consume news.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Anchor & Host: Lead energetic, authoritative sports segments on linear broadcasts; host high-profile station sports specials and digital/streaming original programming.
• Multi-Platform Content Generation: Actively write, produce, and adapt sports content tailored specifically for linear TV, CBS News Chicago Streaming, CBSChicago.com, and key social platforms (Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube).
• Remote & Field Reporting: Anchor and report live on location from marquee sporting events, breaking sports news, and deep-dive feature assignments.
• Modern Storytelling & Enterprise: Move beyond traditional game recaps to enterprise original, character-driven stories; contribute consistently to daily editorial meetings with ideas built for a modern, digital-first newsroom.
• Digital & Social Strategy: Execute a proactive social media strategy to engage Chicago sports fans in real time, build community, break news, and drive audience tune-in across platforms.
• Linear Writing & Segment Scripting: Write sharp, conversational copy and craft well-structured segments and package scripts designed for high-impact linear and streaming broadcasts.
• Journalistic Integrity: Maintain strict journalistic standards, accuracy, and strong editorial judgment in a fast-paced, rapidly shifting multi-platform newsroom.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Proven experience as a Sports Anchor/Reporter in a major market (Top 10 preferred), with a demonstrated track record of success across linear and digital platforms.
• Modern Journalism Mindset: Strong understanding of how sports consumption habits are shifting and a passion for experimenting with new digital, streaming, and social storytelling formats.
• On-Air & On-Screen Presence: Commanding, authentic, and versatile presentation style suited for linear studio anchoring, streaming coverage, and digital video content.
• Market Expertise: Deep knowledge of Chicago and national sports—including professional leagues, regional college athletics, and high school sports culture.
• Writing Excellence: Superior writing skills with the ability to adjust tone and format effectively for linear television, digital articles, streaming scripts, and social copy.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Ability to thrive under live pressure, multi-task, and collaborate seamlessly with newsroom producers, digital team members, photojournalists, and editors.
• Schedule Flexibility: Willingness and availability to work a flexible schedule that regularly includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel for major sports coverage.
• This is a SAG/AFTRA position

Additional Information

Hiring Salary Range: $96.00 - $120.19 per hour.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable, as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News Streaming local platforms, local websites and cbsnews.com, under one umbrella. CBS News and Stations is home to the nation’s #1 news program 60 MINUTES, the CBS News Streaming Network, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network, CBSNews.com, CBS News Radio and podcasts, Paramount +, all digital platforms, and the CBS News Streaming Network, the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service that is available free to everyone with access to the internet. The CBS News Streaming Network is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations’ top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. CBS News’ streaming services, across national and local, amassed more than 1.01 billion streams in 2021. Launched in November 2014 as CBSN, the CBS News Streaming Network is available on 30 digital platforms and apps, as well as CBSNews.com and Paramount+. The service is available live in 91 countries. CBS News and Stations is dedicated to providing the highest quality journalism under standards it pioneered and continues to set in today’s digital age. CBS News earns more prestigious journalism awards than any other broadcast news division.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

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