BOSTON -- Legendary anchor Natalie Jacobson announced her plans to transition off the anchor desk after 35 years at WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5. Jacobson and WCVB President and General Manager Bill Fine made the announcement in a stationwide meeting earlier today.

Long considered Boston’s most beloved and familiar anchor, Jacobson said, “I have enjoyed a phenomenal career at WCVB. I’m privileged to have worked with a talented and caring team of journalists and to have shared many moments of life with the people of Boston and New England. After 35 years, it’s time to move on. Life promises many opportunities, leaving me eager to begin my newest season.” Jacobson is working on a new multimedia business she hopes to launch later in the year. She added, “My goal is to help guide my generation to our 'next big thing.'

A pioneer in local broadcasting, Jacobson joined WCVB as a reporter in 1972, weeks before the station went on the air. In 1976 WCVB named the stellar young reporter the first woman anchor of an evening newscast in Boston. Together with her former co-anchor Chet Curtis, she was at the helm when The New York Times cited WCVB as what is regarded as one of the best television stations in America. In her storied tenure at Channel 5, Jacobson, known as “Nat” to viewers, has anchored nearly every live major event in New England, including the queen’s visit to Boston in 1976, the Tall Ships Parade, Liberty’s birthday in New York Harbor, the visits of Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II, Fourth of July concerts on the Hatch Shell/Esplanade, the dedication of the JFK Library, the New England Patriots' appearances in various Super Bowls and the year of the Red Sox in 2004.

She has been on the front lines, reporting the stories that define the last three decades. Jacobson’s covered the Vietnam protests, Boston’s busing crisis, the great Chelsea fire, the blizzard of ’78, the presidential campaigns of local politicians Mike Dukakis and John Kerry, the impeachment proceedings against then-President Bill Clinton and Sept. 11, 2001.

In addition to co-anchoring New England’s leading evening newscast, Jacobson’s reporting and anchoring skills have been instrumental in the many prestigious awards WCVB has been recognized with, including numerous national Gabriel Awards as America’s “Television Station of the Year.” Natalie has also contributed to many regional and national Associated Press, Edward R. Murrow (RTNDA), National Headliner and Peabody awards. Jacobson’s renowned one-on-one interviews with political candidates have often made news and have helped WCVB and its parent company, Hearst-Argyle Television, win the inaugural four consecutive USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Political Journalism.

In May of this year, the New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented Jacobson with the Governor’s Award in recognition of nearly 40 years of television excellence. Also in 2007, she was honored with the Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in journalism by Suffolk University. In 2005, Jacobson was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the RTNDA.

Jacobson is a dedicated volunteer, helping numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations including the Genesis Fund, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Salvation Army, Franciscan Hospital for Children, American Heart Association and many local cancer fighting efforts. She said, “My position at Channel 5 has offered me the gift of helping others as I otherwise could not. I get back much more than I give.”

“There will never be another broadcast journalist in Boston like Natalie Jacobson,” said Fine. “As Boston’s premier anchor, Nat set the gold standard. Many of Nat’s competitors over the years have found common ground when speaking about her – they all totally respect her as a professional and as a genuine role model for broadcast journalists. Anyone who knows Nat will tell you this next step is far from retirement, but instead the beginning of an exciting new career and chapter in her amazing success story.”

Jacobson said, “I’m excited about moving on. I have the same level of energy and passion as always and am eager to explore new possibilities. I find it invigorating not to know exactly what is ahead. Exploring is half the fun.”

Fine added, “She’s truly an icon. With all due respect to the excellent journalists in this region, I don’t believe it’s possible that any past, present or future reporter or anchor in Boston can achieve the legendary status of Natalie Jacobson.”

Known for her deep love of Boston, Jacobson plans to remain in the city and continue to be actively involved in the community. She also said, “The lasting joy of these many years is the unique relationship I continue to share with our viewers. They open their homes and hearts to me and I embrace the privilege.”

Jacobson will officially sign off July 18 on the 6 p.m. newscast.