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TL;DR: TL;DR: Rana Novini is reportedly 38, born May 30, 1988, though the date is not officially confirmed. The two-time New York Emmy winner serves as a weekend anchor at WNBC New York, the network’s flagship station, after joining NBCUniversal in 2016.
According to TVNewsCheck’s reporting on WNBC’s anchor lineup, Rana Novini serves as a weekend anchor at the network’s New York flagship station.
Rana Novini’s age is reported as 38. The NBC New York anchor was reportedly born on May 30, 1988, which makes her 38 years old as of October 2026. That date appears in biographical profiles of the two-time New York Emmy winner, though it has not been officially confirmed by Novini or NBC. She currently serves as a weekend anchor at WNBC, the network’s flagship station in New York, after joining NBCUniversal in 2016.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rana Novini |
| Age | 38 (reported; born May 30, 1988 — not officially confirmed) |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1988 (reported) |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Persian (Iranian heritage) |
| Profession | News Anchor, Journalist |
| Known For | Weekend anchor at NBC 4 New York; two-time New York Emmy winner |
| Education | B.A. Broadcast Journalism and Music (Vocal Performance), American University |
| Marital Status | Married (Sebastian Escotet); two children |
Early Life and Education
Rana 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 of Arts and Sciences degree from American University in Washington, D.C., double-majoring in broadcast journalism and music with a concentration in vocal performance. That unusual combination — hard news training alongside classical vocal study — hints at the poise and presence that would become her on-air trademarks. For more on journalists with distinctive career paths, browse our celebrity biography section.
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 through the ranks from digital content director to news anchor — a climb that demonstrated both editorial judgment and on-air talent.
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. The promotion was announced alongside fellow anchor Gilma Avalos’s elevation, signaling the station’s investment in a new generation of lead talent. Her full biography is covered in detail in our Rana Novini biography.
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.
A Note on Her Reported Birth Date
The May 30, 1988 birth date comes from third-party biographical sites, not from Novini, NBC, or an official biography. We report it because it is the only date in circulation and is consistent with her career timeline — she graduated from American University and was working in television by the early 2010s — but readers should understand it has not been independently verified. If Novini or NBC publishes an official birth date, this article will be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rana Novini?
Rana Novini is reportedly 38 years old, born May 30, 1988. The date is widely cited but not officially confirmed.
What is Rana Novini’s birthday?
May 30 is the reported birthday, per third-party biographical profiles.
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 news anchor at WNBC (NBC 4 New York) in New York City.
How many Emmys has Rana Novini won?
She is a two-time New York Emmy winner — for coverage of the 2016 Hoboken train crash 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.
How tall is Rana Novini?
Her height has not been publicly reported.
Sources & Verification
Career details in this article 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.