Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Exclusive Interview
Oscar Adame, a retired newscaster from KRGV TV Channel 5, said his career in broadcasting spanned more than two decades in television following 13 years in radio. He said he began working at the station in February 1999 after years at KRGV Radio AM 1290. “I was in radio for 13 years,” Adame said, noting that his interest in broadcasting started in childhood while watching figures such as Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. “For some reason, it always interests me even that young,” he said.
Adame, who grew up in Donna, Texas, said his early passion for both music and news led him to experiment with recording himself as a child, simulating radio broadcasts and play-by-play commentary. He later turned that interest into a career, eventually transitioning into television news. He said he joined Channel 5 as a weekend anchor and weekday reporter, describing the experience as “sink or swim” as he learned on the job from colleagues and newsroom leadership.
He recalled a pivotal moment early in his television career when he was unexpectedly promoted. After joining a newsroom anchored by Carrie Zajas and Peter Torgerson, Adame said he anticipated a long wait before advancing. However, “in August of that same year, Torgerson won the lotto,” he said, creating an opening that accelerated his path to the main anchor position. “What I thought was going to take years and years happened within a matter of months,” he said.
Adame said he remained in television news for 23 years before retiring in May 2022. He explained that while he continued to enjoy the work, he recognized it was time to step away. “If I couldn’t give 110% each and every day, then I figured, you know what, it’s time to move on,” he said. He added that he wanted to leave the profession while still appreciating it.
In retirement, Adame said he stays engaged with current events, occasionally emcees community events, and continues doing voiceover and commercial work. He also travels with his wife, Criselda, with whom he has been married for 45 years, and spends time with their three children and five grandchildren, all of whom live in Texas.
Reflecting on his career, Adame credited his faith and family for sustaining him through long hours and the demands of the profession. “God opened doors for me,” he said. He also acknowledged his wife’s support, noting that her nursing work and stability at home enabled him to pursue his career in journalism.
