While you're getting ready for the day ahead, Ed Drantch is right there with you. Ed is the morning anchor for Good Morning Buffalo and is part of our I-Team, serving as an investigative reporter.
Along with the morning show team, Ed is two-time New York State Regional Emmy award winner for coverage on deadly tornadoes in Western New York in 2017 and race-related protests and fallout in 2020. He is part of the team awarded "Best Morning Show" by the New York State Broadcasters Association.
Ed was nominated for an Emmy award for his work, exposing an Erie County Department of Health worker who forged restaurant inspections. He was also nominated for an Emmy award for his coverage of the COVID-19 virus and how hospitals were responding. He took viewers inside one hospital's ICU at the height of the pandemic, showcasing what nurses and patients were going through.
Community and that "Buffalo Strong spirit" is important to Ed. He serves on the Board of Directors for GLYS WNY, working to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ children in our area.
Ed also owns his own business, Reel Talent, working to coach and mentor student journalists along with journalists who are working in smaller markets.
After joining 7 Eyewitness News in 2014, Ed covered many memorable stories affecting Western New Yorkers, including the historic November snow storm. He's also done several investigations that have sparked change, including the exposure of security shortfalls at the only hospital in Niagara Falls.
Ed also covered the 2016 election Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University.
Ed made the move to 7 News from cross-town rival, News 4 WIVB-TV.
During his three years at News 4, Ed was nominated for a story on race relations in the City of Buffalo. The New York State Associated Press has also recognized him for outstanding work. In 2013, Drantch was awarded a special mention for Excellence in Individual Reporting.
Western New Yorkers first recognized Ed, for his coverage of Nik Wallenda's historic 2012 walk across Niagara Falls. Ed traveled to Sarasota, Florida, Wallenda's hometown, to bring viewers an exclusive series of stories, as Wallenda prepared for this death-defying performance.
Before his 2011 move to Buffalo, Ed spent three years in Harrisonburg, Virginia. At WHSV-TV, Ed was part of the award-winning "Daybreak" morning show. He also anchored and produced WHSV News 3 at Noon.
Prior to his time in Virginia, Ed worked as an online correspondent for FOX 5, WNYW – the FOX flagship station – in New York City. Spending nearly a year in online journalism, Ed built a foundation for his career, learning and using social media and other online tools to connect with viewers.
In 2008, Ed attended the final Presidential Debate at Hofstra University. Not only was he covering the event for the station's website, Ed was live-blogging for the entire Fox Interactive Media platform, garnering him national attention.
A Communications and Media Studies graduate of State University of New York College at Oneonta, Ed spent the months before his senior year interning at WABC-TV – the ABC flagship station – in New York City.
Although he's a Long Island native, Ed is thrilled to call Western New York home.
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Reporting by Ed Drantch
