Weekend Anchor - WFTV

Cox Media Group, LLC.; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

WFTV Channel 9 Eyewitness News seeks a dynamic weekend anchor/reporter to lead weekend newscasts and produce impactful reporting during the week. The role emphasizes enterprise storytelling, public records, and accountability journalism for Central Florida audiences.

The ideal candidate anchors weekend newscasts, reports in the field three days weekly, and develops exclusive content with strong editorial leadership. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven success in developing enterprise stories.
• Exceptional live reporting and ad-lib skills.
• Strong on-air presence and ability to connect with viewers.
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and interviewing skills.
• Strong news judgment in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Anchor live Saturday and Sunday newscasts with authority and storytelling.
• Lead breaking news and weather coverage during weekends.
• Collaborate with editors and newsroom staff to shape editorial content.
• Write, edit, and review scripts for accuracy and fairness.
• Report in the field three days weekly across platforms.
• Pitch and execute original enterprise stories the same day.

Skills

Live reporting

On-air presence

Writing

News judgment

Interviewing

Deadline-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

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WFTV Channel 9 Eyewitness News is seeking a dynamic, credible, and enterprising journalist to serve as our Weekend Anchor/Reporter. This position requires a strong newsroom leader who can confidently anchor weekend newscasts while also producing impactful, original reporting during the week.

The successful candidate will anchor Saturday and Sunday newscasts and report in the field three days per week. Reporting is a critical component of this role. We are looking for a journalist who can uncover stories through source development, document research, public records requests, and relentless newsgathering.

The ideal candidate is an enterprise-driven journalist who consistently generates original story ideas, develops exclusive content, and turns meaningful enterprise stories on the same day they are pitched, bringing forward investigative and accountability-focused story ideas that matter to Central Florida viewers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Anchor live Saturday and Sunday newscasts with authority, credibility, and strong storytelling.
• Lead breaking news and severe weather coverage during weekend broadcasts.
• Collaborate with producers, reporters, meteorologists, and newsroom leaders to shape editorial content and presentation.
• Write, edit, and review scripts to ensure accuracy, fairness, and journalistic excellence.
• Serve as a newsroom leader who reinforces WFTV's standards of journalism and storytelling.
• Report in the field three days each week for broadcast, digital, and streaming platforms.
• Pitch original enterprise story ideas in the morning editorial meeting and execute those stories the same day.
• Develop and maintain a robust network of sources across government, law enforcement, business, education, and the community.
• Generate exclusive content through public records requests, database research, source cultivation, and document analysis.
• Pursue accountability journalism that uncovers information viewers would not otherwise know.
• Identify investigative angles to daily news stories and develop them into deeper enterprise reports.
• Deliver compelling live reports from the field, particularly during breaking news and major community events.
• Write accurate, impactful, and visually compelling stories under daily deadline pressure.
• Collaborate with photographers, producers, and digital teams to maximize storytelling across all platforms.
• Produce digital content and supporting materials related to enterprise and investigative stories.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated success developing enterprise stories.
• Exceptional live reporting and ad-lib skills.
• Strong on-air presence with the ability to connect with viewers.
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and interviewing skills.
• Strong news judgment and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three to five years of television news reporting experience; anchoring experience strongly preferred.

About Cox Media Group
CMG Media Corporation (d/b/a Cox Media Group) is an industry-leading media company with unparalleled brands, award-winning content, and exceptional team members. CMG provides valuable local and national journalism and entertainment content to the people and communities it serves. The company's businesses encompass 14 high-quality, market-leading television brands in 9 markets; 45 top-performing radio stations delivering multiple genres of content in 9 markets; and numerous streaming and digital platforms. CMG's TV portfolio includes multiple primary affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo and MyNetworkTV, as well as several valuable news and independent stations. For more information about CMG, visit www.coxmediagroup.com

CMG is a special place. Here, we rely on our winning mindset and deep expertise to find creative solutions, think differently, and work together to positively impact the people and communities we serve. It's where we connect and inspire diverse audiences every day and everywhere with our unmatched content, products, services and people.

At CMG, we take pride in our collaborative and open environment, where everyone feels valued, seen and heard. Our shared commitment to living our company's core Values – Teamwork, Integrity, Quality and Fiscal Responsibility - propels us every day, in everything we do. We encourage you to explore #LifeAtCMG, where you can bring your best, authentic self to work, think boldly and make a difference.

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CMG is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.