Birmingham newscaster Mike Royer has announced he is leaving NBC 13/WVTM-TV when his contract expires in June.
June also will mark Royer's 40th year in television -- the last 36 of which have been here in Birmingham, where he started at WBRC/Channel 6 before moving to NBC 13.
"Forty years in television is a long time for anyone, and I've been blessed to have been in it this long," Royer said in a prepared statement that he shared with AL.com. "Ten of those spent doing the weather at WBRC television allowed me to work with Joe Langston, Tom York and General Manager Nick Bolton. While I might not have realized it at the time, those years were some of the best.
"My nearly three decades with WVTM have been enriching and rewarding in their own unique way. I've built relationships and friendships at Channel 13 that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I'll always remember the support of WVTM General Manager Jeff Rosser, who hired me, and program director Everett Holle. Everett was so excited about stating a morning program and did everything he could to make it successful. . . .
"It's time to move on from WVTM and on to the next chapter of my life and career," Royer's statement continued. "After months of personal reflection, I've decided I will leave WVTM-TV this summer after honoring my current contract, ready for whatever is next."
The 63-year-old Royer's contract runs through June 14.
In a follow-up interview with AL.com this evening, Royer said he has a standard six-month non-compete clause in his contract with NBC 13, but he won't rule out the opportunity to come back at another station in the Birmingham market after those six months expire in mid-December. He said he has no other options at the moment, however.
An Indiana native, Royer began his broadcasting career as the weatherman at WTWO/Channel 2 in Terre Haute, Ind., in 1975, and he came to Birmingham to do the weather at Channel 6 in 1979.
He went to Channel 13 in 1990, where he hosted the "Top o' the Morning Show" for 2 1/2 years before moving into the news anchor chair.
"The most rewarding part of my years at WVTM has been producing my 'Spirit of Alabama' reports and along with it, my favorite part of the job: meeting the people of Alabama that make our state great, and telling their stories."
Royer said he plans to continue to make Birmingham his home and will "explore all sorts of options and opportunities."
To read Royer's full statement, go here.
UPDATED at 8:45 p.m. CDT on Monday, April 27, 2015, to include additional information from Mike Royer.