A changing of the guard in the Philadelphia broadcast news landscape will take place when legendary broadcaster Jim Gardner officially retires after nearly 45 years with 6ABC later this month.

It was announced earlier this week that Brian Taff will become 6ABC’s new anchor for the 6 p.m. Action News broadcast.

“My thirteen years at 6abc have been life-changing in all of the most meaningful ways. It’s where I’ve worked alongside colleagues who’ve become like family. It’s also where I have begun a family of my own — meeting my wife, now the mother of three precious children,” Taff said in a statement about the announcement. 

“I am reminded daily of the extraordinary, unique and beautiful relationship we share with the viewers we serve. All those things make me humbled beyond words to take on this profound responsibility,” he added.

Taff originally came to 6ABC in 2009 and currently co-anchors at noon and 4 p.m. newscasts. Since his arrival, Taff has seen his reporting assignments take him to every corner of the tri-state area and worldwide. 

His highlights include traveling to Florida and Alabama to show the damage done during the massive BP oil spill; spending weeks in Rome when the Catholic Church began the process of electing a new Pope; interviewing President Obama in the historic Cabinet Room; and covering every presidential and vice presidential debate of the 2012 election cycle. 

“I’m excited that Brian Taff will be the next anchor of Action News at 6 p.m. following Jim Gardner’s historic run,” said 6ABC President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica. “Over the last 13 years, Brian has displayed the knowledge, skill and talent that the Delaware Valley expects from Action News.”

Taff credits Gardner for the big impact he has had on his life and career since joining 6ABC. 

“During my time at Action News, Jim Gardner has become much more than a mentor to me — he’s been a dear friend, a trusted confidant, and a guide for which I’m unendingly grateful,” he said.

To this end, Taff notes that while Gardner will never be replaced, “it’s the professional honor of a lifetime to be asked to succeed him.”

“The baton I am being handed from him has been used to orchestrate the decades-long construction of our foundation one built on honesty, integrity, and trust. I intend to honor and build upon that legacy with every single word, every single night,” Taff continued. 

Taff will remain part of the 4 p.m. broadcast, but will be leaving his noon anchor role when he officially joins the 6 p.m. team later this month. 

Action News’ announcement of Taff’s selection as Gardner’s 6 p.m. successor comes nearly 11 months after Rick Williams was announced as Gardner’s 11 p.m. anchor role successor. 

Gardner took to Twitter to give his thoughts on the announcements of his successors. 

Gardner announced his retirement plans in November 2021, when he revealed he would be scaling back his schedule until he officially closed the book on his broadcast career. 

Gardner’s final newscast is scheduled for Dec. 21, with Taff officially taking on the new role the following day.