Sam Beard

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Sam Beard was WRAL-TV’s second News Director, following Bill Armstrong as the chief anchorman and director of the television station’s news efforts.

Beard joined WRAL in September 1961 and rose to the position of Vice President of News. He was a veteran broadcaster who got into radio in his late teens and worked his way into a prominent role at WPTF-AM, where he served as a news announcer in the 40s and 50s.

In the late 1950s Beard was appointed Public Relations Director for the North Carolina Highway Commission, but it wasn’t long before he was lured back into broadcasting in the state capitol.

Beard was the consummate anchorman with a baritone voice and on-air presence that made him one of the most respected newscasters of his time. He anchored news coverage of the 1968 North Carolina primary for a six-station statewide network headquartered at WRAL. It was the first such network in North Carolina political history and Beard was the glue who held the broadcasts together.

Beard majored in History and Economics as he earned Bachelor’s degree at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the Navy and served during World War II, but upon discharge he returned to his job at WPTF-AM in Raleigh.

Sam Beard left WRAL-TV in September 1972 to work fulltime for former WRAL colleague Jesse Helms, who was campaigning for the U.S. Senate.

Sam Beard died on August 13, 1973 at age 50.

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Highlights for Sam Beard

1964 Election coverage on WRAL-TV

Bill Armstrong, Sam Beard and Scottie Stephenson on set election night at WRAL-TV.
The 1st WRAL-TV Staff 1956

These are a few of the people who were part of the inaugural staff of WRAL-TV in 1956. Some worked double-duties at WRAL radio and WRAL television. See if you can place the correct name with the picture. 1. He was the first news director and anchor. A. Sam Beard B. Bill Armstrong C. Joel […]
Dateline News in progress

Crew member Jack Stokes, Sam Beard, Bob DeBardelaben and Russell Capps during live Dateline newscast.
WRAL-TV newscast

WRAL-TV anchorman Sam Beard, Bob Debardelaben, Bill Johnston and camera operator Bill Greene take part in newscast.
Sam Beard

Former WRAL-TV News VP Sam Beard working the phone in the newsroom.

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Sam Beard

Highlights for Sam Beard

1964 Election coverage on WRAL-TV

The 1st WRAL-TV Staff 1956

Dateline News in progress

WRAL-TV newscast

Sam Beard