WABC-TV announces lineup reshuffle involving – Business News
Longtime “Eyewitness News” anchor Bill Ritter stepped back from the 5 p.m. broadcast on WABC-TV Channel 7, making approach for a new co-anchor whereas persevering with his presence within the station’s night lineup.
Ritter, 75, handed the torch to reporter and anchor Mike Marza, who joined Sade Baderinwa as co-anchor of the 5 p.m. version of “Eyewitness News” on Tuesday.
“I’ve been anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast since 2001, and I did the 11 p.m. show from 1999 until just a couple of months ago,” Ritter instructed The Post.
Longtime “Eyewitness News” anchor Bill Ritter is stepping back from the 5 p.m. broadcast on WABC-TV Channel 7. ABC7NY
Ritter this week handed the baton to Mike Marza (left), who will co-anchor the 5 p.m. hour of “Eyewitness News.” ABC7NY
“That’s three shows a night for a long time. I’m almost 75-and-a-half — it feels like a good time to make this change.”
Ritter, a mainstay of New York City tv journalism for many years, emphasised that he’s not retiring. He will proceed co-anchoring “Eyewitness News at 6 p.m.” on weekdays alongside Liz Cho and internet hosting “Up Close,” the Sunday morning political affairs program.
Ritter had succeeded legendary native newsman Bill Beutel on the 11 p.m. newscast.
Marza joined WABC in 2019 after working at KSHB in Kansas City.
Ritter, who at one level was co-anchoring three hours of nightly newscasts on WABC-TV, is scaling back his schedule. ABC7NY
“We have a lot of people here who’ve been at Channel 7 for a long time, myself included, and now we’re looking toward the future. I’ll still be working here for a while longer,” Ritter instructed The Post.
He went on to notice the significance of mentorship and succession.
Ritter will proceed co-anchoring the 6 p.m. hour alongside Liz Cho. X/Bill Ritter
“I want to get these younger people on the shows — it’s a big thing,” he mentioned. “I’m happy we’re going to start opening the door for some other people. I’m going to be here and work with them, and it’s going to be great.”
The transition is particularly significant for Ritter on a personal stage.
Ritter and Cho have been co-anchoring the information for more than 20 years.
“The same day this change happened, I became a grandfather. It’s a moving thing,” he shared. “No one has ever been as old as I am on Eyewitness News. I want to spend more time with my family, my kids, and now my new grandchild. But I’ll still be here.”
Reflecting on his decades-long partnership with Cho, he added, “She’s been doing the 6 with me longer than any anchor team in the history of Channel 7. We started together in July 2003, so this month marks our 22nd anniversary.”
“I’m honored to be part of Channel 7, the biggest station in the country, and I’m going to continue being part of it. It’s nice to get this kind of recognition — and it’s not for a funeral! I’m still here.”
Station President and General Manager Marilu Galvez echoed that sentiment.
“With a remarkable 27 years at the station, Bill is the literal and figurative anchor of our Eyewitness News team,” she instructed The Post “While he may be taking a step back, he continues to be an integral, much-loved part of our WABC family.”
