Jonathan Martin tells me he is leaving FOX 26 KRIV Houston after seven years as an evening anchor.
UPDATE JUNE 2023
Jonathan Martin joins 11Alive WXIA Atlanta
UPDATE MAY 2023
Anthony Antoine joins FOX 26 Houston as evening anchor
VIDEO UPDATE
Jonathan Martin signs off FOX 26 Houston with touching speech
"Leaving FOX 26 is incredibly tough," Martin told mikemcguff.com. "I fell in love with this community and after seven years, I truly feel like a Houstonian. The station and my colleagues have been so supportive. But I’m looking forward to growing and pursuing some other professional and life goals."
Martin signs off FOX 26 next week, but assures mikemcguff.com readers he will still be around to emcee events in Houston through May and June.
Here is what Martin posted to socials:
"My heart swells with gratitude as I share this...
After 7 incredible years, I'll be leaving FOX 26 Houston at the end of this month.
Oh what a privilege it has been. In 2016, FOX GM D'Art Bebel took a chance on me...hiring 'the young guy' to be the station's primetime anchor. He gave me space to grow into the role, and many of you rooted for me along the way.
From Hurricane Harvey to George Floyd's funeral, 3 World Series, a Super Bowl and a Pandemic...We navigated so much together. It was an honor and responsibility to tell your stories.
I'm most proud of the work we did together in the community. My "Beyond The Game" tour and SWEAT TX program was only a success because of so many who supported me.
H-town has shown me love in a way I could never have imagined, and I'lll forever be grateful.
I've always trusted God's timing for my life, so I'm eager to stretch and grow. What's next? I'll be sure to share more soon, but for now I'm taking time to rest and recalibrate."
Martin joined FOX 26 in May 2016 to work with then co-anchor Melinda Spaulding. He would later be joined by Kaitlin Monte and now Rashi Vats.
While in Houston, Martin worked to inspire students with his "Beyond the Game" initiative. He would also hype Houston viewers with his dance moves!
Before Houston, Martin previously worked for Al Jazeera America as a national correspondent.
His previous local TV jobs were as:
- weekend anchor and general assignment reporter for WSMV 4 Nashville, Tennessee
- weekend evening anchor and daily reporter for WRDW 12 Augusta, Georgia
- news reader WFXA-FM Radio Augusta, GA
The Auburn University grad interned for WSB Atlanta.
*Post corrected with who Martin now anchors with and his arrival date had a typo.
