Ernie Anastos Net Worth

What Is Ernie Anastos’ Net Worth?

Ernie Anastos, a veteran American television news anchor, has built a successful career spanning several decades. As of 2023, his estimated net worth is $8 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to his long-standing career as a news anchor, supplemented by his work as a talk show host and author.

Ernie Anastos: Career Highlights and Earnings

Ernie Anastos was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, in July 1943. He began his journalism journey after graduating from Northeastern University with a BA degree in Sociology. His early career involved working as a newsman for WRKO and WROR radio stations in Boston, where he went by the name Ernie Andrews. In 1976, Anastos transitioned to television, becoming an anchor at WPRI-TV in Providence. He gained significant recognition when he joined WABC-TV in New York in June 1978, anchoring the 11:00 pm Eyewitness News broadcast in November. He also took on anchor duties for the 5:00 pm newscast at WABC-TV.

Anastos’ career includes stints at several major New York television stations, including WCBS-TV and WNYW-TV (Fox 5). He initially worked at WCBS-TV from 1989 to 1994 as the 5 and 11 PM anchor. After a period at WWOR-TV from 1997 to 2000, he rejoined WCBS in January 2001. A significant milestone in his career was signing a five-year, $10 million contract with WNYW-TV in 2005. In 2007, a TV Guide report listed his annual salary as a New York City local news anchor at $2 million. More recently, it has been reported that Anastos earns an annual salary of $350,000.

Throughout his career, Anastos has covered numerous significant events, including the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. In 2004, he reported from Cuba on Fidel Castro’s reign and interviewed prominent world leaders such as Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. He also reported on Princess Diana’s death and funeral and received an Emmy nomination for his coverage of John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s death.

Anastos Media Group and Other Ventures

Beyond his work as a news anchor, Ernie Anastos has also been involved in radio and TV broadcast ownership. In 1998, he and several business partners acquired WJKE, a radio station based in Saratoga Springs, New York (now WQAR). This marked the beginning of the Anastos Media Group, which expanded to include several other stations in the Capital Region of New York State and eastern New England. His daughter, Nina, played a role in the daily operations of the group. In September 2012, the Anastos Media Group sold several of its stations—WABY, WQAR, WUAM, W291BY, and WVKZ—to Empire Broadcasting Corporation for $1.2 million. Anastos is also the president of Ernie Anastos World Television, Inc., which has co-produced shows such as “New York Star of the Day”, “Ernie Anastos in New York” and “Positively Ernie”, all of which have appeared on WNYW-TV in New York.

Ernie Anastos has received numerous accolades for his work, including more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including a “Lifetime Emmy Award,” which is the highest honor for excellent achievements in the television industry and the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence. He has also been honored with an honorary doctorate from the New York Institute of Technology and was named Anchorman of the Year by the institute in 1985.

In March 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared March 21 as “Ernie Anastos Day” in New York City, recognizing his contributions to journalism.