Highly-regarded, local journalist Maria Stephanos joins WCVB Channel 5, Boston’s News Leader, as evening anchor beginning Thursday, February 4 as announced today by Bill Fine, WCVB President and General Manager.
A Massachusetts native with more than 25 years of journalism experience as an anchor and reporter in New England, Stephanos will co-anchor NewsCenter 5 at 7:00PM and 11:00PM with Ed Harding, Chief Meteorologist Harvey Leonard, and Sports Anchor Mike Lynch. Stephanos will also anchor the soon-to-be-launched weekday edition of The 10 O’Clock News on WCVB’s second television station MeTV Boston, which will air 7 days a week for one hour.
Heather Unruh, who continues as co-anchor of NewsCenter 5 at 6:00PM, will join Ed Harding as co-anchor of NewsCenter 5 at 4:30PM. In addition, she will expand her Emmy-award winning medical coverage as NewsCenter 5’s Medical Reporter.
“I'm thrilled to be back on local TV!” said Stephanos. “WCVB is my new home, and I couldn't be prouder to be joining this team of dedicated and talented journalists.”
“Similar to many members of our team, Maria was born, raised, and educated in Massachusetts, and she has built an impressive news career right here as well,” said Fine when making the announcement. “She knows the territory, the market’s leaders and newsmakers, as well as the less high-profile members of our community who make our region a remarkable place…and they all know her, too. Maria has a proven track record for excellent journalism and being able to tell a story with local insight and understanding, and she is an ideal addition to the NewsCenter 5 team.”
“Maria is a much-respected and well-liked journalist who knows the market like the back of her hand, and she has earned the community’s trust and admiration,” said Andrew Vrees, WCVB News Director. “Maria’s commitment and skills will help to advance NewsCenter 5’s leadership position in the market across newscasts and multi-media platforms.”
“WCVB is the quintessential news station and the news leader for a reason,” added Stephanos. “Ever since I was a little girl in Groveland, I would wake up before school, wait for my TV to warm up, and watch the EyeOpener on Channel 5. ‘CVB was my station, and my dream was always to work there someday…and that dream has come true!”
Maria has spent the vast majority of her career in New England, most of that in Boston, and joins WCVB after spending over 18 years at WFXT-TV FOX 25, where she started as a reporter in January 1998. She was later promoted to the anchor desk, where she has been at the helm covering elections, conventions, blizzards, and even the Red Sox first World Series victory in 2004, along with countless other stories that have impacted New England. Stephanos was always there, her passion for bringing the stories that matter most to our viewers was obvious.
Perhaps most significantly, Maria's coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings stood apart from other journalists. She was on the scene with her children, cheering for her husband as he was running the marathon. Within minutes of the explosions, Maria switched into reporting mode to provide her first-hand experience via telephone. Within an hour, and with her family safe, she was on the anchor desk, guiding FOX 25’s coverage as a journalist, and a witness.
Over the course of her distinguished career, Stephanos has also covered many of the most significant news events including: the plane crash of John F. Kennedy Jr., the Worcester Cold Storage fire, the Presidential recount vote live from Florida, the 9/11 attacks reporting from both Washington DC and Boston, Red Sox World series wins, Patriots’ Super Bowl wins, the deaths of Senator Edward Kennedy and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the capture and trial of Whitey Bulger, and many more. She recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alpha Omega Society presented by former Governor of the Commonwealth, Governor Michael Dukakis.
However, if you ask Maria, she will tell you her favorite stories were about New England’s most interesting and vivacious characters, whom she showcased in her Real People, Real Stories features. “I have had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing so many people who have had a huge impact on my life and my heart,” said Stephanos. Her unique interviews were a source of inspiration for millions of New Englanders.
Prior to FOX 25, Maria was a reporter at WJAR-TV in Providence, RI. It was there that she got her first taste of the anchor desk when the sports anchor didn't show up for work.
It was then that longtime WJAR anchor Frank Coletta knew she was destined for success. Coletta told Boston Magazine that management put Maria on the desk to do sports. “She wasn’t an expert—I mean, I think she’d tell you that,” Coletta recalls. “But they put her in that slot and she had a great time. She has this... charisma.” It was also the first time that Stephanos ever thought about being an anchor.
Maria told Boston Magazine why she likes being an anchor, and why she didn't mind the popularity.
“I’m going to tell you why I like it,” she says. “I’m going to tell you why it works for me. Because nobody does this” —s he lowers her voice to a whisper — ‘Hey, that’s Maria Stephanos over there.’ This is what they do: ‘Hey, you’re the news lady.’” — she’s shouting now — “‘Hey! Maria Stephanos!’
Before starting her career in television at WJAR, Maria worked in radio news at WBUR in Boston. She has also reported for WABC radio, WCBS radio and WNBC radio, all in New York City.
A self-proclaimed “…‘homer’ and proud of it,” Stephanos is a native of Groveland, MA and a graduate of Emerson College in Boston where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in mass communications. Stephanos resides in Foxboro with her husband Dale and their children. She enjoys cooking (especially Greek recipes), playing sports with her family, and vacationing in New England “anyplace there is water.”
Stephanos will also co-anchor The 10 O’Clock News on MeTV Boston beginning on Monday, February, 29 at 10:00-11:00PM. MeTV Boston is WCVB’s second television channel and is available over the air on Channel 5.2 and on the following cable channels: Comcast 292/306, Verizon 461, RCN 29, Charter 184, Metrocast 295, BELD 75. Check local listings.
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Hey, where have you guys been?!?! ???? I'm back. I've missed you! It's going to be a great day. Talk soon!
— Maria Stephanos (@mariastephanos) February 1, 2016
