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Robert Kovacik

Weekend Co-Anchor and General Assignment Reporter

Tuesday, Mar 20, 2012 | Updated 5:49 PM PDT

Robert Kovacik is co-anchor of NBC4’s weekend newscasts at 6PM and 11PM. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kovacik joined the station in July, 2004.

Kovacik is an award-winning journalist, known for in-depth and comprehensive reporting. For six years he was the lead morning reporter on “Today in LA.” Some of his more notable live shots included a heated exchange between the Los Angeles Chief of Police and a local Councilman regarding paparazzi following celebrities. The confrontation between the two led to headlines worldwide.

Also, while explaining to viewers about an extensive manhunt to find an alleged murderer, the suspect suddenly appeared and surrendered to Kovacik while live on the air. His coverage of the event was recognized in 2007 with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, a Golden Mike and a Los Angeles Press Club Award for breaking and spot news reporting.

Before joining NBC4, Robert was the West Coast correspondent and a fill-in anchor for “National Geographic Today,” that aired on the National Geographic Channel.

Prior to that, Kovacik was a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter for KCOP-TV in Los Angeles for six years. Recognized for his versatility, he received a local area Emmy Award for hosting an entertainment special and was nominated for serious news reporting and live sports coverage all in a single year. His investigative reporting surrounding President Clinton’s impeachment earned Kovacik a place in the Kenneth Starr Report, and his groundbreaking investigation into the overcrowded Los Angeles animal shelters forced the city to change its laws.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Kovacik is an honors graduate of Brown University. After receiving a prestigious fellowship with the International Radio and Television Society, he attended Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where he also graduated with honors

After graduating from Columbia, Kovacik became the youngest anchor in the nation's largest television market, New York City, when he was named anchor of KCET's overnight venture, “Nightworld.” At the PBS flagship, he anchored hourly news updates and hosted the network's first-ever live coverage of Manhattan’s famous Halloween Parade.

Kovacik has been the recipient of numerous honors, including Edward R. Murrow, Golden Mike, Emmy, Associated Press, Los Angeles Press Club, Best of the West and International Genesis Awards.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Press Club.