Longtime South Florida broadcaster Pam Giganti has left the anchor chair.
The WTVJ-Ch. 6 morning anchor bid farewell during Friday’s newscast, amid well wishes from other broadcasters and her fans.
Giganti, 47, said she is retiring to spend more time with her husband and three daughters, ages 11, 15 and 18. The morning news schedule can be tough on home life, with her typically getting up at 2:15 a.m. to anchor weekdays beginning at 4:30 a.m.
“I am not going to miss the 2:15 wakeup at all,” said Giganti. “That is one of the reasons I retired. It’s been a long time. It’s been a difficult schedule … I’m looking forward to having more of a normal schedule and spending more time with my family.”
During Friday’s broadcast, an emotional Giganti told viewers, “Everybody out there who is watching, thank you so much … I am so honored that you get up and watch us because you have a choice … I am blessed and grateful.”
Succeeding Giganti will be Sheli Muniz, who joins the station from WKMG-Ch. 6, the Orlando CBS affiliate. She also previously worked at the West Palm Beach CBS affiliate, WPEC-Ch. 12, a Sun Sentinel news partner. Muniz is set to begin Dec. 16.
Giganti joined the NBC affiliate in Miramar in 2001, and has been a mainstay on the morning shift.
In 2009, she won an Emmy award for her health special, “Breast Cancer: Interactive.” During that story’s broadcast, viewers were able to email her questions about breast cancer recovery.
“We were able to do this incredible special and tell women’s stories of survival,” she said. “I think it helped a lot of women, and that was really gratifying.”
Before joining WTVJ, Giganti was an evening anchor at WSVN-Ch. 7, where she worked from 1993 to 2001.
“Pam is a veteran newswoman who has been an integral part of the NBC 6 family for 14 years and who has made countless contributions along the way,” said Migdalia Figueroa, vice president of news at WTVJ, in a release. “We wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement.”
Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie of NBC’s “Today” show surprised Giganti on Friday, saying goodbye to her during her final broadcast.
“Congratulations, we just wanted to tell you that you’ve spent 14 amazing years down there. You’ve been a huge part of the NBC family and, of course, the community in Miami. We want to wish you all the best,” Lauer said.
Bob Mayer, Giganti’s former co-anchor, also stopped by the broadcast to wish her well.
“Pam is comfortable wherever she is, and I think that is the key with you, you make people at home watching comfortable as well,” Mayer said.
Longtime fans of Giganti were saddened to learn of her departure, commenting on WTVJ’s website, nbcmiami.com.
“Pam, I’m going to miss watching you every weekday morning … you’re one of the best,” wrote Doan Morley on the WTVJ website.
“She’s my favorite, and I’m going to miss her! She seems so sweet and genuine!” wrote Mona Moseley.
Giganti said her immediate plans are “to exhale, sleep in and enjoy the holidays with my family.”
She also plans to continue teaching television performance at the University of Miami next spring.
“I don’t know where my future is going to lead me, but I would like to take my time and talent and do something positive.”
