On Monday, June 2nd, Bill Ritter announced he'll no longer co-anchor the 5 p.m. edition of WABC’s “Eyewitness News.” Mike Marza will assume this role starting Tuesday. Ritter will, however, continue co-anchoring the 6 p.m. broadcast with Liz Cho and remain host of the Sunday morning program “Up Close.”
This is the second anchor lineup change at the station in recent months. Ritter stepped down from the 11 p.m. newscast on March 6th, a role now filled by Marza alongside Sade Baderinwa. During the 5 p.m. broadcast on Monday, Ritter explained his decision, citing a desire for more family time, including with his newborn granddaughter. He emphasized his continued commitment to “Eyewitness News,” stating that journalism at the station is “in (his) DNA.”
Baderinwa holds the record for longest-serving 5 p.m. anchor in the station’s history. Marza expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged Ritter’s mentorship. He previously anchored weekend evenings and reported for ABC News. The transition included statements from colleagues praising Ritter's impact and celebrating his ongoing presence within the station's newscasts.