Dave Ward says he was ushered out at KTRK
Dave Ward, the longest-running news anchor in TV history, will be leaving Channel 13 at the end of the year. But he says he is not retiring.
"My contract with Channel 13 expires at the end of this year, and that's when I'll say goodbye," Ward said. "But, no, I am definitely not retiring."
Channel 13 management had invited him to stay with the station through 2017, but he would have been hosting the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade and the Freedom Over Texas July 4th fireworks, Ward said.
It was an offer he couldn't accept. "That just didn't interest me at all," he said.
"They took me off the 10 p.m. newscast two years ago. They were taking me off the 6 p.m. news at the end of this year. So I would not have an anchor role anymore."
With no anchor duties, Ward said it was time to leave.
Channel 13 president Henry Florsheim said he still hopes an agreement can be reached for Ward to stay with the station beyond this year.
"Dave is always welcome at the station, and there is always a role for Dave on the air," Florsheim said. "We can't wait to celebrate his 50 years of service with us. I don't know if anybody has ever done that, and we want to celebrate his success."
Ward, 77, joined Channel 13 as a street reporter in 1966. Earlier this year, Guinness World Records honored him "for the longest career as a television news broadcaster."
Ward said he will be free to join another TV station after his current contract expires Dec. 31.
www.chron.com/life/a rticle/Dave-Ward-say s-he-was-ushered-out -at-KTRK-913646
Why, ABC13? I don't understand. What do you think their reason was?
