Pittsburgh Broadcasting World Rocked By Departures In 2024

PITTSBURGH, PA — To say it was an eventful year in the Pittsburgh broadcasting community would be an understatement. The year was characterized by departures, as some well-known names left their positions and some retired familiar personalities died.

The following are some of the biggest stories in Pittsburgh broadcasting in 2024.

Legendary WPXI-TV news anchor David Johnson retires.

Johnson departed the station in December after four decades. He was part of the longest-running anchor team in Pittsburgh TV history along with Peggy Finnegan before her retirement in 2020.

Rob King named new Steelers play-by-play announcer.

King replaced Bill Hillgrove, who retired from Steelers broadcasts this year after 30 years but remains the play-by-play voice on Pitt Panthers football and basketball games.

KDKA-TV's Jon Delano calls it a career.

After three decades of providing award-winning political and analysis, Delano departed the station in December.

WTAE-TV's Bob Mayo puts down the microphone.

Mayo was a familiar face at WTAE for three decades in his role as a general assignment reporter.

Longtime Pittsburgh radio and TV personality P.J. Maloney dies.

Maloney was a fixture during two stints at former all-news radio station KQV-AM and a local TV reporter and weather forecaster.

93.7 FM's The Fan's Ron Cook walks away from radio.

The veteran Pittsburgh radio personality and sports journalist had been with the sports talk radio station since its inception in 2010.

Retired radio reporter Elaine Effort dies unexpectedly.

Effort spent nearly four decades at all-news KQV-AM.

KDKA-AM traffic reporter Kathy Berggren retires.

When Berggren, began doing traffic reports for KDKA-AM in 1982, the Parkway North (I-279) hadn't been built yet.

WPXI's Dee Thompson dies.

The retired Thompason started at the station in 1974 as a sports reporter, then became a

general assignment reporter and anchor until his retirement in 2009.

Former TV and radio reporter Anne Linaberger dies.

Linaberger held various positions at multiple Pittsburgh radio and TV stations.