Courtney Zavala leaving KPRC after five years hosting Houston Life

Courtney Zavala has abruptly left KPRC 2’s lifestyle show, Houston Life, to the shock of longtime viewers.

Houston Life airs weekly in afternoons with Courtney Zavala and Derrick Shore as co-hosts. Shore reportedly announced the news of Zavala’s departure on air this Wednesday, January 18.

As Zavala suddenly leaves the show, we take a look at the reporter’s time with the network.

Courtney Zavala has been with KPRC on and off since 2003

Chicago native Courtney Zavala got her start in broadcasting after graduating from St Xavier University, located in her hometown. She worked at KMID in Midland, Texas before moving to Salt Lake City’s KSTU FOX13.

Zavala started working for KPRC as a reporter in 2003. She worked her way up to the role of weekend anchor but left in 2014, citing family reasons.

“It’s time for me to bow out gracefully and go out the way I want to go out instead of them telling me it’s time to leave,” Zavala told a blog reporter that year. “It was not an easy decision, it was several months in the making. I feel like I missed so much of my family life, that I’m just ready to be present.”

After original Houston Life co-host Jennifer Broome left, Zavala returned to the network in her stead. Zavala took on the Houston Life co-hosting gig in 2017.

Courtney Zavala is leaving KPRC

On Wednesday, January 18, Courtney Zavala’s co-host confirmed that she had suddenly left KPRC.

“After 20 years at KPRC and more than five years at ‘Houston Life,’ Courtney Zavala is moving on,” Derrick Shore said during the broadcast. “Yesterday [January 17, 2023] was her last day on our broadcast. Courtney, I have truly never had a partner and a friend just like you.”

Shore then revisited some memories spent with his colleague and friend. “To our viewers, yes we do have a friendship in real life. I am looking forward to making many more memories with you and to many more laugh attacks as well,” Shore continued.

Courtney Zavala please say it’s not true! Don’t leave Houston Life!! Where are you going? I watched everyday cause you made the show!

— Karen HT (@KarenHe66813873) January 18, 2023

View Tweet

Viewers bid farewell to longterm host Courtney

Courtney Zavala has not yet announced her future plans beyond Houston Life, but one thing is for certain, the KPRC viewers are going to miss her.

Since Derrick Shore confirmed that Zavala would not return to the show, a number of the former anchor’s fans took to the internet to share their sadness.

“Please say it’s not true! Don’t leave Houston Life,” one fan tweeted. They added that they “watched everyday cause you made the show!”

Derrick Shore has not yet made any further comments on Courtney Zavala’s departure.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbXTnGWcp51ksq95xptma2hiaHxxfY5qcGiekaN6p63VqKmirJVisLDB0a2lnrFdr663rcuaZKKrXaGyosLIp55mo6CnsG6txa2cq2VlYsamrdGsZKGno6m2r7OMoaauq6Sku264yJ%2BcaA%3D%3D