Sam Champion -- who has been a part of the re-invention of Good Morning America -- is exiting ABC News for The Weather Channel.
Champion had been in contract negotiations with ABC News executives for some time. Champion's GMA colleagues Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer also are negotiating new deals at ABC News, while Robin Roberts' deal is expected to be finalized soon.
PHOTOS: The Most Talked-About TV News Faces
Champion will anchor a new morning program at The Weather Channel, which is a division of the NBCUniversal News Group. He'll relocate from New York to Atlanta for the gig. He'll also be managing editor at TWC.
Meteorologist Ginger Zee will take over for Champion on GMA. ABC News president Ben Sherwood noted Champion's 25 years at ABC News.
"Over the years at GMA, Sam has broadcast more than 1,800 weather forecasts. He has traveled to almost every major weather event in the U.S. As many of you know, Sam’s 'Go' bag is always ready and his stellar reporting during Superstorm Sandy contributed to ABC's Peabody Award for coverage of that historic storm," wrote Sherwood in an email announcing Champion's departure.
"Sam has broadcast live from a raft floating between polar icebergs, danced the salsa on Despierta America and interviewed countless newsmakers, celebrities and chefs. On his show Sea Rescue, viewers have shared Sam's passion for marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and release."
