Ted Simons, the longtime host and managing editor of "Horizon" on Arizona PBS, is retiring at the end of 2026.
"It's time," Simons told The Arizona Republic.
Simons has hosted the show since 2008, when he took over for original host Michael Grant. That's a good run by any measure, and Simons will be missed. When he got the job, he seemed like a somewhat unusual fit, a younger host, more in tune with popular culture as well as the goings-on of Arizona government and business. But it quickly became clear he was the right person for the job. Whether it was hosting "Horizon" or moderating debates, Simons made the show his own.
'I don't think Ted Simons' impact ... can be overstated'
“I don’t think Ted Simons’ impact on Arizona PBS and on our local community can be overstated,” Scott Woelfel, the station’s
general manager, Scott Woelfel, said in a statement. “Despite our increasingly polarized political climate, Ted is trusted by viewers on both sides of the political aisle — and his commitment to keeping those viewers informed has had a really positive effect on civic engagement across the Valley and beyond.”
Simons said he's ready for someone new to take on the job.
"I've been there 19 years, and I mean look around, I mean geez, the landscape of journalism and broadcasting especially has changed so much that you need someone who's up on that kind of thing," he said. "And I don't think I am. I can make my way around certain things in the tech world, but you really need someone who's a lot more savvy with that sort of thing, and younger and sees things differently. And I get it. I was that person when I was younger."
Plus, the show is a grind, with three segments per episode.
"I need to make sure that I know everything from the latest pancreatic cancer drug treatment to the latest election denier and what they're trying to say, and by the way, the Phoenix Symphony has a new music director, so I need to interview him and talk about music," Simons said. "I'm OK with it. I never really had a problem with it, but when you look back at it, it's like, holy smokes, man, take a break."
Simons said he has no plans for other media gigs, at least at the moment.
"I'm out of media for now, and we'll see how long that lasts, because we'll see how long Mrs. Simons can stand me being around the house anymore than I already am," he said. "But you never know. That's all I've done. I've been on the air since I was 21 years old, and it's really all I've ever done."
Simons' Kari Lake interview in 2024 was spectacular
One of Simons' strengths as a host and moderator was letting guests speak for themselves, while still holding them responsible to the truth. There is no greater example than his 2024 interview with Kari Lake, who was the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Arizona. He was insistent, patient and fair in the face of Lake's election denial and confrontational style.
"From day one, my whole journalism edict is, explain yourself," Simons said. "That's all I ask for guests. Explain yourself. If you think the election was rigged and that there are all sorts of nefarious little people running around behind the scenes making sure that Donald Trump doesn't win the election, explain. Why do you think that? Where does that come from?
"If you think that it hasn't been rigged and it's up and up and it's the safest and the best in the country, explain yourself. Honestly, just explain. And I'll question you, but I want to hear why you believe that, not just, 'I believe it because I believe it,' or maybe that is the case, but at least the audience gets to find out."
Simons will be on air through the end of the year. Meanwhile, the search is on for Simons' replacement, Arizona PBS said in a statement.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Media commentary with a side of snark? Sign up for The Watchlist newsletter with Bill Goodykoontz.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: After 2 decades Ted Simons leaves Arizona PBS. Why he says 'it's time'
