GMA Signs New Weatherman Today

Sam Champion to join GMATMZ has learned New York TV personality Sam Champion will become the new "Weather Anchor" for ABC's "Good Morning America."

Sources say the deal will be inked today. Champion, who did the weather for WABC in New York for 19 years, will leave the station for the network gig beginning the first week in September. We're told Champion will do double duty for WABC on the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts until the station finds a replacement.

Champion, the perennially boyish blond TV fixture, has been a fill-in weatherman countless times on GMA. He's also substituted for Regis and Larry King on their respective shows.

We're told GMA will make weather a significantly more important part of the show -- hence, Champion's new title, "Weather Anchor."

New York represents seven percent of the national TV market, and Champion's popularity makes this a big get for the Alphabet network.



Tags: Good Morning America, GoodMorningAmerica, Sam Champion, SamChampion

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16. I think you should keep Mike Bars. He has a wonderful personality and is so great with audience/crowds. I think, seeing Sam, ondifferent shows, is a little stiff. What will happen to Mike for he was a great addition to GMA ?

Posted at 9:26PM on Sep 6th 2006 by mary alice blalock

17. Mike Barz is a "real" man and will be missed on GMA. When he left Chicago, I was thrilled to find him on GMA. He will show up somewhere great, I'm sure. Also, for you "Sam is gay" claimers, gay can still be really nice to look at and hot.

Posted at 3:21PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Terri

18. I'd like to know what happened to Mike Bars! This is kinda dirty when he just moved his family there. That's the problem with those shows. The view especially!!! Dirty! Dirty! Dirty!!!

Posted at 5:02PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Barb

19. is Sam gay? maybe he should hang out with Lance Bass

Posted at 6:58PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Freddie

20. Another white guy reporting weather. I guess it would have killed them to stray from the blond hair and blue eyes-and get someone that looks more like the dmeographic in the market of the area.

Posted at 1:40AM on Aug 24th 2006 by Nico Sneako

21. I am upset that you are getting rid of Mike Barr. I do not like Sam because he is too phony to me. He probably is a nice person but it seems that there is no integrity in anyone these days that will only base their decisions on ratings. I would bet that the rating would remain just fine if they had left Mike Barr. He was witty, friendly and serious about his job. Boo to you bigshots at GMA. Nellgrayson@wmconnect.com

Posted at 8:41AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Garnella Tomich

22. i though mike barr was very nice i sure will miss him he also had a nice family and is not gay, gay like sam i will not not watch gmc any more

Posted at 6:48PM on Aug 25th 2006 by jane miller

23. Why is everyone saying good bye to Sam. He'll be in the same studio. GMA is on the same local channel in NY as his present gig Eyewitness News.
Furthermore for the gay baiters. I used to ran into him I'd say over ten times in a Chelsea gay club and it was a "NO WOMEN ALLOWED" leather bar so no he didn't just happen to ge in a mixed NYC club. But he is as nice in person as he seems on TV. Very cool if you acknowledge him. Looks better and taller in person. Really cool regular guy. The more idiotic of the straight world would never peg him for gay and for those who think it's such a big chance to show your wit
FREDDIE 17:"Maybe he should hang out with Lance Bass" You're such an F--king D--khead. Let me guess if you're a New Yorker, You live in Queens? Maybe Brooklyn. But the former is host to a much higher percent of low class, unsophisticated Moron Bridge and Tunnel Trash who make all New Yorkers even Us ex New Yorkers embarrassed when you make your presence known. Stay off the Internet and use the time to get some sleep you probably have to get up real early for to get that Garbage truck on the road so you can afford all of your wife's 1980's wardrobe. Oh am I stereotyping? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sink a level as low as I am loathe to say I presume you live on.
Oh and having been chest to chest with Sam in a crowded bar more than once...I'd bet anything He could kick your ass and make you cry like a little girl then piss on you.
God I do miss NYC sometime but as you all say "Not fa nutin' but I definitely don't miss you and your cliff ape families.

Posted at 10:24PM on Aug 26th 2006 by JT

24. I agree- I think GMA made a mistake replacing Mike Barr. Why?? I have never been that impressed with with Sam when he filled in- I hope Mike goes on to bigger and better things to show GMA thta they made a big mistake!

Posted at 8:38PM on Aug 27th 2006 by Laura

25. I like Sam Champion, but Mike Barr is my ultimate favorite!! Why is he being let go? Where is he going?? I may hfto change channels now that both Charlie and Mike will be gone. TV is so fickle.

Posted at 5:00PM on Aug 30th 2006 by janet Dailey

26. I want Mike back!!!! He was the greatest thing that ever happened to GMA>

Posted at 5:04PM on Aug 30th 2006 by janet Dailey

27. I'm really disappointed that Mike Barr is leaving GMA. I enjoyed him so much. I hope he's leaving because he WANTS to leave and is moving on to bigger and better things. I am not a Sam Champion fan AT ALL. Maybe this will be the thing that moves me over to The Today Show with Meredith.....

Posted at 7:56PM on Aug 31st 2006 by LK

28. I have always liked Sam as the New York ABC weatherman. I will tune in to GMA to see him!!

Posted at 8:22PM on Aug 31st 2006 by Pamela V. Eaton

29. I have always liked Sam Champion on the east coast news at ABC. I will be tuning in the first day to see how he does.

Posted at 8:34PM on Aug 31st 2006 by Pamela V. Eaton

30. I've been a fan of GMA since Diane joined them. I'm sorry to say, I'll be ending my viewing when Sam joins them. He's more than I can take - esp. early in the AM. I won't go to the other station's morning news. I'll find something else to do - hey, maybe I'll sleep late. I'll miss you Diane and Robin.

Posted at 4:03AM on Sep 4th 2006 by breaze

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