NBC and The Weather Channel Poached a Champion

ABC's Good Morning America has long had the morning news weather Champion, but NBC Universal just poached the first employee away from ABC's morning juggernaut in two years and made him the new face of The Weather Channel.

ABC's Good Morning America has long had the morning news weather Champion, but NBC Universal just poached the first employee away from ABC's morning juggernaut in two years and made him the new face of The Weather Channel.

TV Newser reports Sam Champion, longtime face of ABC's weather operation, heads to The Weather Channel this week. Champion has been an ABC employee for 25 years, and GMA's weatherman since 2006. If you're wondering what it takes for a veteran like Champion to leave the home he's known for 25 years, this is it: 

Champion will be the face of the Weather Channel and also be the network’s managing editor. Beginning in the New Year, he’ll anchor a morning show that on many days will be hosted remotely.

Because The Weather Channel is owned by NBC Universal, the all-inclusive deal likely means Champion will appear on NBC News broadcasts during major weather events, including possibly alongside his old Today rival Al Roker.

Champion broadcasts his last GMA show on Wednesday. Politico obtained the memo sent to ABC staff today. The gravity of this move may be lost on non-morning show obsessives, so consider this: it "surprised" the man who knows network morning shows best: CNN's Brian Stelter, author of Top of the Morning. It's unclear when Champion starts at The Weather Channel, but because of the heated competition between the two companies, expect a swift turnaround. 

ABC fans will be pleased to hear their low-key fan favorite, weekend meteorologist Ginger Zee, gets the promotion to weekdays in the wake of Champion's departure.