Longtime ‘Arizona Horizon’ host concluding 18-year run January 1, 2027
Arizona PBS, a community service of Arizona State University (ASU), today announced the impending retirement of longtime host and award-winning journalist Ted Simons, effective January 1, 2027.
An ASU alumnus, Simons has been informing viewers and listeners as a trusted broadcast journalist for more than four decades. In 2008, Arizona PBS selected him to serve as host and managing editor of “Arizona Horizon,” the station’s daily news and public affairs program, following the retirement of Michael Grant. In that role, Simons has been able to interview everyone from Charlton Heston and Itzhak Perlman to scores of state and national leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the late U.S. Senator John McCain and the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Simons has also played an important role in the democratic process, serving as the face of Arizona PBS’ election coverage over the last two decades. He has moderated countless debates and politically focused forums, giving Arizona voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and policymakers.
“I don’t think Ted Simons’ impact on Arizona PBS and on our local community can be overstated,” said the station’s general manager, Scott Woelfel. “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.”
Prior to joining the team at Arizona PBS, Simons hosted the afternoon drive news/ talk show on KTAR radio, worked as news director/ morning show host for KZON-FM and news/ sports anchor/ reporter at KPHO-TV. Simons was also sports director/ anchor at KOFY-TV in San Francisco.
Throughout his career, Simons has received numerous accolades, including several regional Emmy® awards, the Arizona Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award for Radio Talk Show and Radio Newscast and several New Times Best of Phoenix honors. He is also a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, recognizing a significant contribution to the community as a broadcaster over 25 years.
In the weeks and months ahead, Arizona PBS will conduct a national search as it seeks a new host for “Arizona Horizon.”
“We’re excited for the future of ‘Arizona Horizon’ and will continue to look for ways the show can better serve Arizonans across the state,” said Woelfel. “But for now, we’re focused on celebrating Ted Simons and thanking him for his years of service to this station and to the people of Arizona.”
