Bill Ritter Steps Back from WABC’s 5pm Broadcast
For quite some time, “Eyewitness News” Anchor Bill Ritter has been transitioning away from the 5pm broadcast on WABC-TV Channel 7. He’s giving his co-anchor spot to Mike Marza, while still keeping a role in the station’s evening programming.
At 75, Ritter officially passed the mantle to Marza, who joined Sade Baderinwa on Tuesday for the 5pm edition of the news.
Ritter reflected, “I’ve been part of the 6pm newscast since 2001, but I was also around for the 11pm show starting back in 1999.” It’s quite the run.
“It’s been a long, overnight show,” he noted. “I’m almost 75 and a half years old. I think this change feels right.”
Despite this shift, Ritter emphasized that he isn’t retiring. He plans to continue his “Sighting News at 6pm” segment with Liz Cho on weekdays, as well as host “Up Close,” a Sunday morning political show. His deep roots in New York City’s television journalism are notable, and he’s not ready to step away completely.
Marza, who joined WABC in 2019 after a stint in Kansas City, is now stepping up to fill Ritter’s role. Reflecting on his time at the station, Ritter said, “I’ve been here a long while, and I recognize others have been as well. But now, I’m looking to the future.” He strongly believes in mentoring the next generation.
“I want to guide these young talents,” he mentioned. “And that’s really important to me. It’s great to help open doors for them.” This transition carries a personal significance for Ritter.
Ritter cherishes the long partnership he’s had with Cho. “We started together in July 2003. This month marks our 22nd anniversary,” he reminisced.
He expressed pride in his association with Channel 7, calling it the largest station in the country and emphasizing, “I’m still part of it. It feels good to receive this recognition. It’s certainly not a goodbye!”
Marill Galves, the station’s president and general manager, echoed Ritter’s sentiments. “After an impressive 27 years, Bill is a truly integral part of our Eyewitness News team. Though he’s stepping back, he remains a beloved member of our WABC family,” she stated.
