Sam Champion leaves GMA for Weather Channel

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Sam Champion, who has been the weather anchor on Good Morning America for the past seven years, is leaving ABC to get his own morning show on the Weather Channel.

The parting appears to be amicable.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to do what I love most at a network that lives and breathes the weather," Champion said.

Champion, who will become the Weather Channel's managing editor, will join his former a.m. rival Al Roker, the Today show host who also hosts Wake Up With Al on the Weather Channel.

His role will be taken over by weekend weather anchor Ginger Zee, who has filled in for him regularly over the past two years.

[New York Times] [CNN]