Detroit broadcasting legend Carmen Harlan to retire from WDIV-Local 4 in November

DETROIT, Sept. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran TV news anchor and Detroit broadcasting legend Carmen Harlan has announced she will soon retire from WDIV-Local 4 following a broadcasting career spanning four decades.

"About 18 months ago, Carmen came to me to say that she wanted to retire in the near future. I wanted to pretend that I didn't hear her. There is only one Carmen Harlan and I wish she would stay forever, but I understand her desire to spend more time with her children and their families," said Marla Drutz, vice-president and general manager. "She is a class act who has been a true booster for this city."

"In the newsroom, Carmen is often called 'The Queen' because she is.  She is a true professional who can go between the hard-hitting stories that Detroit and Local 4 is known for, to creating levity on set and bringing out the best in our anchor teams. She always nails it," said Kim Voet, news director. "She will be tremendously missed by every person at our station."

A native Detroiter, Harlan began her broadcasting career in Detroit radio before joining WDIV-Local 4 in 1978 as a general assignment reporter. Not long after, she was promoted to news anchor with legendary newsman Mort Crim. For more than 20 years, Harlan has been partnered with anchor Devin Scillian for the station's early evening and late news programs, making them Detroit's longest running anchor team.

When Harlan started at WDIV, it was a last place newscast, and she has dedicated her entire career to helping Local 4 become one of the most respected and top-rated affiliates in the country.   "Local 4 is the station viewers turn to for the big story, the important story.  I'm proud to say we have maintained our dominance over the decades, and I'm proud to have been a part of this team," says Harlan.

A lifelong champion of Detroit, Harlan has hosted many of this region's big events like "America's Thanksgiving Parade," "The Ford Fireworks," and the NAIAS "Charity Preview." She always had a major role in station campaigns like Walk on the Wild Side, Choice of the Century, Detroit 300, Time to Care, Home 4 the Holidays, and two Olympic torch relays.

Throughout her career, Harlan has not only anchored the news but also traveled the world reporting on some of the most notable stories of the day.  Harlan covered the historic Michigan visit by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the legendary Detroit arrival of South African President Nelson Mandela in 1990, President Barack Obama's inaugurations in 2009 and 2013 and, most memorably, the 2010 Haitian earthquake relief effort. She has also interviewed countless dignitaries, world, business, and religious leaders, as well as entertainers.

Harlan will take on an ambassador role with the station which will allow for promotional and special event projects.  She plans on spending more time with her family.  "As a grandmother of three boys, ages 7, 4 and 2, it's important for me to be able to spend quality time with them while they are young," continues Harlan.

In addition to her career endeavors, Harlan has devoted much of her time to various charitable organizations including: Operation Able, the Michigan Humane Society, the Children's Center, Sparky Anderson's CATCH, the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and Alternative For Girls, just to mention a few.

Harlan will anchor her final newscast on November 11, but will return to host "America's Thanksgiving Parade" later in the month.

About Local 4
WDIV-TV Local 4 is honored to be recognized as Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Local 4 News is currently the #1 newscast at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market. WDIV is the #1 NBC affiliate in the top 13 LPM markets. In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com is a leading breaking news and weather website in Michigan and metro Detroit's #1 TV media website.

About Graham Media Group
Graham Media Group (www.GrahamMedia.com), a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC), owns five local TV stations—each in a top-50 market and all recognized as news leaders—reaching 6.3% of U.S. television households: KPRC–Houston and WDIV–Detroit  (NBC);  KSAT–San Antonio (ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); and WJXT–Jacksonville (independent). The stations also broadcast digital channels focused on classic television and operate market-leading websites, mobile sites and mobile apps that deliver breaking news, weather and community news, reaching millions of users across each platform. Graham Media Group owns SocialNewsDesk, a leading provider of social media software solutions used in more than 600 newsrooms worldwide.

SOURCE WDIV-Local 4

Related Links

http://www.clickondetroit.com