The Television Academy named Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Jim Hill as the recipient of the 77th Los Angeles Area Emmy® Governors Award, recognizing his acclaimed five-decade-long career in broadcasting.
The surprise announcement was made by Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, on KCAL News.
The award is presented to an individual, company or organization, selected by the Los Angeles Area Governors Award committee, that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.
“Jim is a legendary and beloved figure in sports broadcasting — a trusted voice and a true pioneer in Los Angeles area news,” said Abrego. “His decades of dedication, excellence and influence have left an indelible mark on the industry; and we are proud to celebrate his extraordinary contributions to our Southland television community.”
One of the nation’s most respected sports anchors, Hill has been a fixture on KCBS/KCAL News in Los Angeles for nearly 50 years. He started his broadcasting career while playing football for Texas A&I University where he was a disc jockey and talk show host at KINE AM in Kingsville, Texas. He went on to a career in the National Football League playing defensive back for the San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.
Hill began his career as a sportscaster with CBS2 in 1976. He initially spent 11 years with the CBS-owned station. Then, following four years with KABC-TV in Los Angeles, he rejoined CBS2 in March 1992. He currently appears on the station’s weekday 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts and hosts the weekend editions of Sports Central. Additionally, Hill has covered worldwide sporting events, including the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics and has hosted pay-per-view boxing telecasts on Showtime.
He has been an active community philanthropist for decades and has previously served as chair of Los Angeles County’s “Just Say No” antidrug program, served as a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Urban League, was chair of the Watts Summer Games, president of Athletes for Kids and a member of the advisory board for the Grossman Burn Center.
Hill received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2019 he received the Joseph M. Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Los Angeles Press Club and has been honored by the Associated Press, United Press International, USA Today and many other organizations. He is a member of the Governor of California’s Board for Physical Fitness and Sports and the President’s Council for Physical Fitness.
Hill joins Southern California sports broadcasting icons Stu Lantz (2023), Bob Miller (2016), Chick Hearn (2001) and Vin Scully (1991) as a Governor’s Award recipient.
Stephanie Hampton and Greg Taylor are the Los Angeles Area Governors.
The Los Angeles Area Governors Award will be presented during the 77th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards Saturday evening, July 26, 2025, at the Skirball Cultural Center, hosted by Kelvin Washington, host/anchor for Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles.
