4.16.2012

Monday, April 16, 1962: Walter Cronkite


Walter Cronkite delivers his first newscast as the newly named anchorman and managing editor of the 15-minute "CBS Evening News" (initially called "Walter Cronkite with the News"). His memorable sign-off, "And that's the way it is," was added soon after. Cronkite began his journalism career as a print reporter for United Press before joining CBS in 1950.

From The New York Times, April 17: "On Mr. Cronkite's premiere the background setting was materially simplified, and there was a noticeable effort to inject a lighter touch into the news copy. At the conclusion of the news program, Mr. Cronkite received billing on the screen as 'managing editor' of the presentation. The identification reflects the normal sensitivity of newscasters who exercise some voice in the editing of the news so as not to be confused with mere 'readers' of bulletins."

Cecil Smith, TV critic for the Los Angeles Times, wrote on May 24: "Cronkite is undoubtedly the No. 1 man in the CBS news stable, the celebrated anchor man of the conventions, the Khrushchev tour, presidential parlays, etc. A solid newsman with slight regard for side comment or opinion, Cronkite has built up a wide, national reputation and would seem to be the ideal man for the job."

1962 photo from Corbis Images.

* Entry from Museum of Broadcast Communications: @
* Entry from "The Encyclopedia of Television News" (1999 book): @
* "Cronkite" (Douglas Brinkley, 2012): @
* Cronkite segments on NPR: @
* Interviews from Archive of American Television: @

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