WBIR’s longtime evening anchor is making
a difference in East Tennessee

One of the benefits of working at WBIR is getting to work with great people. They are a talented, dedicated, and endearing bunch. Anchor Robin Wilhoit is a standout among the special people who make the information center a rewarding place to work.

Robin has been a fixture at the station for many years. In those years, she has epitomized the station’s motto, “Straight from the Heart.” She works passionately on daily shows and brings special reports to the community of East Tennessee.
Robin is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill where she majored in journalism and minored in political science.
Straight out of college, Robin became a reporter in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1992, she came to Knoxville and to WBIR.
Robin has worn many hats at WBIR. Starting out as a reporter, she went on to be weekend morning anchor, then onto morning anchor. In 1996, she joined Bill Williams at the anchor desk for the 6 and 11 o’clock newscasts.

At the anchor desk she has been for the big stories and the not so big, but still important ones. When Bill left for semi-retirement, Ted Hall took his seat next to Robin. In 2007, John Becker replaced Ted after he left for WBIR’s sister station, WXIA in Atlanta. John and Robin are a fantastic team who enjoy working together on and off the camera.
There is a lot more to being an anchor than just reading the news. Robin is an excellent reporter who has been there for the Atlanta Olympics, Hurricane Katrina, and closer hitting stories. She has the Buddy Check and Live Green at Heart franchises. Buddy Check reports on the issue of breast cancer—its prevention, treatment, survivors, and memories of its victims. Its goal is to help the women of East Tennessee outlive this sometimes debilitating disease. The Live Green at Heart stories center around “green living.” In the segments, Robin highlights and explains everything from recycling to energy efficient housing.
Robin is also vital in the editorial process. A steering member of the news team, she brings her experience and knowledge of local politics and world events to the daily meetings.
Robin also serves as an ambassador for WBIR at events around the community.

It addition to being a consummate professional, Robin is a role model as well. She’s the happily married mother of two kids. She enjoys running and spending time with her friends.
People often ask me what the on-air employees are like—most often Robin. And I always tell them the same thing—they are exactly the same way on air as off—warm, friendly, smart, and most definitely full of heart.