Longtime “Eyewitness News” anchor Invoice Ritter stepped again from the 5 p.m. broadcast on WABC-TV Channel 7, making method for a brand 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 years ago,” Ritter informed The Submit.
“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 Metropolis tv journalism for many years, emphasised that he’s not retiring. He’ll 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 Invoice Beutel on the 11 p.m. newscast.
Marza joined WABC in 2019 after working at KSHB in Kansas Metropolis.
“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 informed The Submit.
He went on to notice the significance of mentorship and succession.
“I want to get these younger people on the shows — it’s a big thing,” he stated. “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 private degree.
“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.”
