Weather Anchor Sam Champion leaves Good Morning America for Weather Channel

Good Morning America is receiving high ratings, but that's not stopping their weather anchor, Sam Champion from leaving. Deadline.com reports Champion will now be on-air host and managing editor of The Weather Channel. He has been with GMA since 2006, so this is a big change, though still in his field of expertise.

Fellow GMA co-stars Robin Roberts, Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer are in the midst of contract negotiations. GMA is currently the top morning show on television. Champion is also the weather editor for ABC News. Ben Sherwood of ABC News had this to say of Champion's departure: "While there is no replacing Sam, we are in excellent hands with his storm chasing partner of the last few years, meteorologist Ginger Zee, who will take over his weather responsibilities at GMA and across ABC News."

Champion has been part of the ABC family in some capacity since 1988. In his personal life, Champion is very active in New York City charities and elsewhere. He was chairman of the March of Dimes NYC WalkAmerica, Grand Marshal of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Fall Bike Tour and master of ceremonies for "Stopping AIDS Together." Champion is openly gay. In 2012, he married his long-time partner, Rubem Robierb.

These parting words were left for Champion's followers on twitter:

Only an amazing opportunity like this at @weatherchannel cld take me away from my @ABC family of 25 yrs and @GMA #blessedlife

— Sam Champion (@SamChampion) December 2, 2013