Rana Novini is an American broadcast journalist and weekend anchor at WNBC, NBC 4 New York. A two-time New York Emmy Award winner of Persian descent, she joined NBCUniversal in 2016 and was elevated to weekend anchor in 2023. Novini was reportedly born on May 30, 1988, in Ohio — a date widely cited in biographical profiles but never officially confirmed by Novini or NBC. According to TVNewsCheck, Novini was elevated to weekend anchor at WNBC in 2023 alongside Gilma Avalos.
TL;DR: Rana Novini is a Persian-American broadcast journalist and weekend anchor at WNBC (NBC 4 New York), a two-time New York Emmy Award winner. Born in Ohio and fluent in Farsi, she joined NBCUniversal in 2016, was elevated to weekend anchor in 2023, and is married with two children.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rana Novini |
| Age | 38 (reported; born May 30, 1988 — not officially confirmed) |
| Birth Date | May 30, 1988 (reported) |
| Birthplace | Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | News anchor, journalist |
| Known For | Weekend anchor at NBC 4 New York; two-time New York Emmy winner |
| Marital Status | Married (Sebastian Escotet); two children |
Early Life and Education
Novini is a native of Ohio, born to Iranian parents — a heritage she has spoken about publicly and one that informs her reporting, including an Emmy-winning look at the pandemic’s impact on the Bronx Muslim community. She is fluent in Farsi.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C., double-majoring in broadcast journalism and music with a concentration in vocal performance. That combination — hard-news training alongside classical vocal study — helped shape the poise and presence that became her on-air trademarks.
Career Journey
Novini began her professional career at News 12 The Bronx, where she also helped develop the pilot that would later become News 12 en Español. She then spent five years at KRDO, the ABC affiliate in Colorado Springs, rising from digital content director to news anchor.
She joined NBCUniversal in 2016 as a general assignment reporter at WNBC. Her reporting quickly earned recognition: she won two New York Emmy Awards, one for her coverage of the 2016 Hoboken train crash and another for her reporting on the pandemic’s effect on the Bronx Muslim community. She also helped lead the station’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade coverage.
Her rise continued in 2023, when WNBC elevated her to weekend anchor — one of the most visible roles at the station — alongside fellow anchor Gilma Avalos’s promotion.
Major Achievements
- Two New York Emmy Awards: coverage of the 2016 Hoboken train crash, and reporting on the pandemic’s impact on the Bronx Muslim community.
- Elevation to weekend anchor at WNBC (NBC 4 New York) in 2023.
- Helped develop the pilot for News 12 en Español early in her career.
- Rose from digital content director to anchor during five years at KRDO Colorado Springs.
Personal Life
Novini is married to Sebastian Escotet, and the couple has two children. She tends to keep her family life private, with her public presence centered on her journalism. Her Persian heritage remains an important part of her identity — she is bilingual in English and Farsi — and she has used her platform to cover stories affecting immigrant and Muslim communities in New York.
Interesting Facts
- She studied music (vocal performance) alongside broadcast journalism at American University.
- She is fluent in Farsi, which has informed her reporting on Muslim communities.
- She helped launch what became News 12 en Español at the very start of her career.
- Her May 30, 1988 birth date is reported by third-party biographical sites but has never been officially confirmed.
- She joined NBCUniversal the same year she won her first New York Emmy for Hoboken train crash coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rana Novini?
Rana Novini is a weekend news anchor at WNBC (NBC 4 New York) and a two-time New York Emmy-winning journalist.
How old is Rana Novini?
She is reportedly 38 years old, born May 30, 1988. The date is widely cited but not officially confirmed.
Where is Rana Novini from?
She is a native of Ohio, born to Iranian (Persian) parents.
What does Rana Novini do now?
She is a weekend anchor at WNBC, NBC’s flagship station in New York City.
How many Emmys has Rana Novini won?
Two New York Emmy Awards — for the 2016 Hoboken train crash coverage and for reporting on the pandemic’s impact on the Bronx Muslim community.
Where did Rana Novini go to college?
American University in Washington, D.C., where she studied broadcast journalism and music (vocal performance).
Is Rana Novini married?
Yes. She is married to Sebastian Escotet, and they have two children.
What languages does Rana Novini speak?
She is fluent in English and Farsi.
When did Rana Novini become a weekend anchor?
WNBC elevated her to weekend anchor in 2023.
Where did Rana Novini work before NBC?
News 12 The Bronx and KRDO, the ABC affiliate in Colorado Springs, where she spent five years.
Sources & Verification
Career details are drawn from TVNewsCheck’s 2023 report on WNBC’s anchor elevations, which documents her 2016 arrival at NBCUniversal, her five years at KRDO Colorado Springs, her Ohio roots, her American University education and her two New York Emmy wins. Her reported birth date (May 30, 1988) comes from third-party biographical profiles and has not been officially confirmed as of October 2026.
For more journalist biographies, see our profiles of Stephanie Ramos, Madeleine Rivera and Zahirah Marty.
Pingback: Rohan Nedd Parents 2026: 5 Revealing Facts About the Harry Wild Star's Family
Pingback: Marisa Woloszyn Age: 7 Fascinating Facts About the WXYZ Meteorologist