ABC World News Tonight July 10 1978 | Max Robinson's Debut

Maxie Cleveland "Max" Robinson, Jr.[1] (May 1, 1939[2][3] - December 20, 1988) was an American broadcast journalist, most notably serving as co-anchor on ABC World News Tonight alongside Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings from 1978 until 1983. Robinson is noted as the first African-American broadcast network news anchor in the United States.[4][1][7] Robinson was a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Robinson began his television career in 1959, when he was hired for a news job at WTOV-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia.[3] Robinson had to read the news while hidden behind a slide of the station's logo. One night, Robinson had the slide removed, and was fired the next day.[12] He later went to WRC-TV in Washington, DC, and stayed for three years, winning six journalism awards for coverage of civil-rights events such as the riots that followed the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was during this time that Robinson won two regional Emmys for a documentary he made on black life in Anacostia entitled The Other Washington. In 1969, Robinson joined the Eyewitness News team at WTOP-TV (now WUSA-TV) in Washington, D.C..[2] Robinson was teamed with anchor Gordon Peterson, becoming the first African-American anchor on a local television news program, and the newscast took off. During that time, he was so well-liked by viewers that when Hanafi Muslims took hostages at the B'nai B'rith building in Washington they would speak only with Robinson.
In 1978, when Roone Arledge was looking to revamp ABC News' nightly news broadcast into World News Tonight, he remembered Robinson from a 60 Minutes interview, and hired him to be a part of his new three-anchor format. Robinson would anchor national news from Chicago, while Peter Jennings would anchor international news in London and Frank Reynolds would be the main anchor from Washington. Robinson thus became the first black man to anchor a nightly network news broadcast. The three-man co-anchor team was a ratings success, and launched spoofs regarding how the three would pitch stories to each other during the telecast by saying the other's name: "Frank"..."Max"...."Peter," etc. -Wikipedia
Originally shared at archive.org Posted here for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
#####
Reelblack's mission is to educate, elevate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at [e-mail] and [e-mail] with details and it will be promptly removed.

[@DetroitLives313]

I met Peter Jennings in NYC in 1996. We had just had a blizzard and he was sitting in his Jeep as I was trying to park behind him. I got out and asked him to please move up some. He was nice and did that for me. RIP Peter.

[@VesproDBA]

i miss him

[@donuts24]

The ticker sound effect though! Love it..

[@gregoryrussell3221]

Great Job Mr. Maxie Robinson you showed the world Who We Are. Most importantly who you were yes let's remove all slides and show who's really behind the scenes. R i p

[@unique74muzik]

Brother paved the way..

[@jgvfyufcgvk9234]

Were still waiting for the first Chinese Indian etc etc etc etc etc!!!!!!!!

[@thefrase7884]

@@jgvfyufcgvk9234…….Connie Chung co-hosted the CBS Nightly news from 1993-95

[@abinashmishra329]

23:09 and to think 8 years later, she'd die on the ill-fated Challenger flight...RIP Judith Resnik (1949-1986)

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

IMO, that was a psyop. There used to be videos showing all of the Challenger occupants years later, in their new lives, but I'm sure that those videos have all been scrubbed by now. Surreal.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

@@EYE_GOTCHA Stop it. JFC...not everything is a conspiracy, tin foiler.

[@John-14798]

*I was 3 when she died. Rest In Peace to astronaut Judith Resnik and journalist Max Robinson. Such great human beings.* 🕊️ 🕊️

[@gametyte924]

Wow this was tv the night I was born!!!!

[@reelblack]

😮

[@asill.6668]

Yep! I was born on 4/19/1978. It was a good year!!!

[@johnnysama]

This premiere edition of World News Tonight would be the first step towards launching ABC's news division achieving parity with NBC and CBS.

[@tyrese3745]

ABC News lured Max Robinson from CBS affiliate WDVM-TV (now W*USA) in Washington, DC.

[@Skinsbison1906]

Man, this brings back memories.Thanks for this.

[@oldclip70]

Man, I remember when Howard K. Smith was the lead anchor. Frank Reynolds died in 1983. Max Robinson boycotted the funeral which caused lot of issues at ABC News. Barbara Walters just left from NBC. Thank you for posting this. My father made me to look at the news. I’m a better person for this.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Wow...Thanks so much for sharing...I love Max Robinson...What a pioneer!

[@MrJlt1978]

I like this old news. I miss it.

[@dwaynecollins535]

"Film at 11". I miss that.

[@mikewrasman5103]

I was 17.5_at the time.

[@dennistate4783]

Rest in power sir✊🏾

[@tamekkaknuth9612]

Made my day and uplifted my mood even more . Thank you for that

[@mikewrasman5103]

Jules Bergman was a great space and science correspondent for ABC News. He knew his stuff! RIP, Jules.

[@mikewrasman5103]

David Muir doesn't have half the newsgathering ability of Frank Reynolds, Howard K. Smith or Peter Jennings.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

Oh, how I miss Peter Jennings. He died way too young smoking cigarettes like a chimney.

[@rhyancoleman6462]

He stopped for 20 years but started back up after 9/11.

[@justinsmith6583]

0:02 i kinda didnt like this abc news logo but this rebrand in '78 started a great new era for tv news on abc

[@DetroitLives313]

This was exactly one month after I graduated high school.

[@mikewrasman5103]

Howard Kingsbury Smith was a fantastic newscaster and commentator. He got screwed over by CBS, so he went to ABC.

[@MichaelXKnows]

So much to unpack from this single episode. Truly astonishing. Superb post!

[@MichaelXKnows]

Two days after my birth.. inChicago, to boot! Where Max debuted! Wow!!

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

The Series Premiere of WORLD NEWS TONIGHT

[@angelrayvega88]

Back when the news was was real and legit and everyone having their life straighten together unlike todays lazy generation of lazy people due to increased high tech technology, and fake news nowadays i wish these older times were back.

[@Riogi]

Your contents are amazing!

[@reelblack]

I appreciate that!

[@GIGI-hz7ps]

wow what memories!

[@TempeSoldier123]

I was a little 5 year old when this aired. Wow….

[@Createur208]

I wonder how ABC can transmit on camera in London, because normally in London there is PAL and America is NTSC and normally PAL cannot support NTSC

[@alisonboulding185]

I was turning 9 that December. But, I recall later that Max Robinson was seeking to work in Washington..

[@afrosoul1369]

Wow..

[@tyrondavis6727]

Happy 45th Birthday Anniversary to ABC World News Tonight... RIP Peter, Max, Frank, and Barbara.. Today: Present Day 2023....I think Today's ABC News can use a little tool.. It won't hurt.... The trouble is i was still a baby in diapers when ABC World News Tonight debut its network to tell you the truth....... Because 1978 is almost a far far away from the yesteryear long, long time ago for almost a half a century.....WOW! Time flies doesn't it.🚬✈️🍺🍔🍁🎂🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

[@74455776]

Historic. I remember reading the jerk Chicago TV critic's biased, constant cricism of Mr. Robinson at the time. Boy, you can sure see on Howard K. Smith's face his displeasure with Roone Arledge's new and (eventually) winning format.

[@Maestrohbill]

22:07 - wow, Judith Resnick, who was killed in the Challenger explosion.

[@heathertea2704]

My mother and I had crushes on Mr. Robinson. Talented man who broke doors open. However, the continual stress in his career, wore him done.

[@sonquatsch8585]

i can certainly imagine. racestress.

[@dougfredricks2017]

The media, entertainment worlds are high stress and wear down a person. At end of day trust in the Lord. 🙏

[@bobfitzpatrick8952]

I had just finished the 9th grade, and was taking driver's education that summer.

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

18:33 No offense to anyone, but that Buick model sure was fugly lol.

[@tajhanderson5084]

All with no dispute

[@corduerorose9747]

RIP to all

[@tajhanderson5084]

I am taking suspensions off now Continuing to move foward grounds trades shares No lows no shares no trades abound ground of the Gatsby

[@georgeschlaline6057]

RIP Margaret Hamilton Hope she went to Heaven

[@stevegallaugher3273]

Sadly, there all gone!

[@TaEDoN24o6]

I just got Compared to the legend .... I’m here doing my homework! #PassDaTorch #CuteFaceUglyLife

[@vrj40]

Great clip! I am related through Max Robinson through his mother and related to astronaut Fred Gregory through marriage (his then wife Barbara).

[@joshuakline1435]

00:39 a now forgotten cause. Frank Reynolds, Max Robinson, Howard K. Smith, Peter Jennings, and Barbara Walters are rolling in their graves.

[@bmasters1981]

Frank Reynolds: "Good evening, and welcome to the first broadcast of the World News Tonight. Speaking for all the men and women of ABC News, I promise you an accurate, responsible and meaningful report on events at home and abroad. We are aware of our responsibility to you, and we intend to meet it." A responsibility that no one is allowed to meet now, because news has become so politicized and fragmented and polarized ever since the Fairness Doctrine was trashed in 1987!

[@crystalthomas4500]

That doesn't apply anymore

[@mikewrasman5103]

The so-called Fairness Doctrine was only fair to the liberals! It stifled conservative viewpoints!

[@mikestevenson576]

Lighten up, Frank.

[@morriskid4996]

NOTICE the little footage they have on him ...He was a truth speaker ..that's why you dont see much of him on KZbin

[@formerk.g.b.2408]

The satanic system killed Max Robinson for speaking the truth about the Lie's the media spread's

[@morriskid4996]

@@formerk.g.b.2408 Yes ofcourse that is their Hidden Agenda as of today

[@formerk.g.b.2408]

@@morriskid4996 ...Anybody in America speak the truth about the satanic organization the illuminati assassin's kill them!!

[@bytheway1031]

🎂Maxie Robinson 05-01-2022

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

9:28 Dershowitz - UGH!!!!!!!!

[@chandrafebrian9983]

Old news very unique cold war era

[@mikewrasman5103]

The Equal Rights Amendment was dead on arrival!

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Frank Reynolds

[@tammieknuth6020]

Gannon way lawn mower it's a bitch..not fun

[@TheJayblaze3]

how did he contact Aids? I know it will be a lot of hypothesizing on this subject. I just want facts

[@jjjames2671]

How would anybody know that and what does it even matter?

[@guitawrizt]

answer: SEX

[@TheJayblaze3]

​@Christine Mills I never knew this man,I just found out about him because I was reading a book that his brother published called The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks. Max Robinson talked about how he battled racism,alcoholism,depression etc.,He worked for a highly competitive white owned network,you just said that he had to be twice as smart to be a head news anchor(that causes jealously,envy etc. from white colleagues in his social circles. Meaning he could have been a threat because of his race,not to mention him and his brother talked about racist issues in this country. He could have been in close contact with someone at his workplace that stuck a contaminated needle in him by bumping in to him ,one can only speculate but it just always suspicious to me when black people die unexpectedly(especially if they are a major threat to white society ,shit sometimes you don't even have to be a threat).) Sam Cook,Micheal Jackson,Prince,etc. wanted there own publishing and shortly after, they died suspiciously after wanting to challenge the white owned music industry,Bob Marley received a gift/ pair of shoes from a quote on quote white associate,shortly after that, he received cancer in his foot. He told his family that he felt a sharp object when he tried the shoes on,you see white society historically are the Masters Of Murder & Masters of Mystery.

[@LaptopLarry330]

Max Robinson contracted AIDS from a tainted blood transfusion that he received during heart bypass surgery. Tennis player Arthur Ashe contracted AIDS in the same manner. The American Red Cross did a lot more testing of blood for the AIDS virus thereafter, and did not allow high-risk groups, such as people who were sexually active, to donate blood.

[@jjjames2671]

@Cicely Paine I'm not sensitive about it at all. Why would I be? I didnt know him and he died years ago. I was just asking out of curiosity why people are so obsessed with a dead guy's sex life.

[@words0217]

World Trade bomb👀

[@tajhanderson5084]

All gates closed Return to the cemitary

[@threexfromwsg]

I wish the Soviet Union was here.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

I miss hearing the words Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechslovakia

[@perfectpens1262]

Blacks

[@ttacking_you]

Yo ABC! We NEED those kinds of editorials RIGHT NOW about _you know who_ over at moral-lag-low!?

[@ttacking_you]

That Firestone complaintant was the ultimate "dad move!😂" dont get me wrong the store owner offering to replace them at 20% of the cost for something that could have killed him is pretty beyond the pale but what do you expect from a society that had a fast food restaurant called _Sambo's_