Ted Hall, an anchor at 11 Alive for seven years, is returning to Knoxville next year.

He is expected to leave the NBC affiliate (WXIA-TV) at the end of the month. His final day is Dec. 27.

Hall announced his departure from 11 Alive in October but has spent the intervening time seeking new climes. He came to Atlanta in 2006 after 18 years in Knoxville, where he is still well liked and remembered. After the announcement he was leaving Atlanta, he seemed to get as many comments from fans in Knoxville as he did in Atlanta. And based on comments on his Facebook page, he will be welcomed back with open arms.

Hall worked for several years in primetime on 11 Alive before spelling the retiring Jill Becker in 2011 in mornings.

The Knoxville CBS affiliate WVLT is picking him up. The station broke the news on its Facebook page two hours ago.

Welcoming Ted Hall back to Knoxville and to the VLT Local 8 News Team! You'll see his familiar face on VLT in January!!

Hall had previously worked as an evening anchor at the NBC affiliate in Knoxville WBIR-TV before moving to sister Gannett station WXIA-TV in Atlanta.

UPDATE: Here's the on-air tribute 11 Alive aired on his final day Dec. 27:

Beyond confirming the news, he hasn't gotten clearance from 11 Alive to talk to me yet but I'll post an exit interview later this month if he can do it.