UCF alum Marla Weech joins Central Florida News 13

From Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel

Where’s Marla Weech? That long-running mystery was solved Tuesday, when the longtime Orlando anchor joined Central Florida News 13. Her on-air debut should come in late April.

“I will be so excited to be back on Central Florida airwaves,” said Weech, who will be a reporter and a weekend anchor. “I have found that no matter whether someone has a favorite ABC, CBS or NBC affiliate, they love News 13. It fits into people’s lifestyle.”

It’s another remarkable comeback for Weech, who is in her 50s. She was an Orlando institution at ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9 and later anchored at CBS affiliate WKMG-Channel 6.

Robin Smythe, general manager of Central Florida News 13, said it was a “coup” to land someone with Weech’s experience. “We have a chance to have somebody join our team who has a high profile in the market,” Smythe said.

Weech, a native Floridian and a graduate of the University of Central Florida, has logged many years in Orlando TV. She spent nearly 20 years at WFTV, where she and Bob Opsahl formed a popular team. She was demoted in 2003 after ratings declined, and she left WFTV in 2005.

A year later, Weech joined WKMG. She worked there for more than two years, but lost her job in the recession. She has been free-lancing since then.

“I just really love Central Florida,” Weech said. “I am so excited about being able to cover the news in a way no one else in town covers it.”

Smythe praised Weech’s knowledge of the community and her enthusiasm for the business. “You can’t buy that kind of equity,” Smythe said. “She is certainly up for this role.”

Read more of Hal’s exclusive interview with Weech here.