The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

A native of Miami, Florida, Rob Jennings has been in broadcasting for more than four decades. The first station that offered him a job was in Georgia. A year later Rob moved to WABB, Mobile, Alabama, where he did the afternoon drive show and became music director. But less than two years later he was hired as an announcer and director at WALA-TV and wound up doing news. In 1977 he caught the eye of Alan Nesbit, News Director for WPVI-TV, Philadelphia. Rob has anchored the weekend shows and is a familiar fill-in on week night editions of Action News.

In addition to those duties, Rob was the producer-reporter for the award winning “Crimefighters” series for sixteen years. Since its inception in 1983, “Crimefighters” encourages Action News viewers to help police solve crimes and capture fugitives through the anonymous Citizens Crime Commission tipline. Tips from viewers have led to arrests of almost 200. “Crimefighters” is the most recognized regular feature in the Philadelphia market. The success of “Crimefighters” has prompted numerous commendations to Rob from civic and official organizations, including the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, Camden County Sheriff, The Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officers Association, Burlington County Prosecutors Office, The South Jersey Investigators Associations, American Legion and the FBI Director. Rob’s most memorable news stories included demonstration flights with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels.

In 1966 Rob married his wife, Karen, who was a news anchor for WFTV, Orlando and WGAL, Lancaster. They have two children, Becca and Robbie. They spend as much time as possible playing tennis, boating on the Chesapeake, and visiting their vacation home on Longboat Key, Florida.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com