ABC News president sends memo confirming future of Good Morning America – and major changes to show lineup
THE future of Good Morning America has been revealed amid major changes to the show line up.
ABC News’ president has sent a memo confirming the future of GMA and GMA3 after staffers at ABC began packing up their desks earlier this week.
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ABC News staffers began packing up their desks WednesdayCredit: ABC
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GMA could face major shakeupsCredit: GMA
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GMA and its third hour GMA3 is rumored to be consolidated into one production unitCredit: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
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Bob Iger is the CEO of the Walt Disney CompanyCredit: Getty
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ABC is facing a time of changeCredit: Alamy
Almin Karamehmedovic, the president of ABC News, circulated a memo to employees on Wednesday – warning of big changes.
In the memo, Almin penned: “As we’ve often talked about, streamlining our operation to best serve our viewers and continue to position ourselves as a leading news organization has been a goal for some time,” as per The New York Post.
The memo, which was obtained by the outlet, went on: “Rethinking the way we work to future-proof our team regrettably includes reductions to our extraordinary staff.
“These decisions are incredibly challenging and today will undoubtedly be difficult for our organization.”
Adding how “it bears repeating how profoundly grateful and proud I am to be leading a truly remarkable team that consistently delivers the best our profession has to offer”.
The memo concluded: “As we look ahead, I remain confident in our ability to continue to set the bar for journalistic excellence.
“I am so proud of all that you do,.”
The memo came as staffers packed up their desks amid layoffs as the network restructures its programming.
The restructuring of the network includes merging 20/20 and Nightline, as well as consolidating its Good Morning America productions.
The future of Good Morning America looks different too, with a huge shakeup set to impact the show.
Michael Strahan’s plans for future revealed after ‘quitting GMA’ following Fox NFL Sunday uncertainty
GMA and its third hour GMA3 is rumored to be consolidated into one production unit, instead of the two separate units it currently functions as.
The flagship program is in need of having its ratings improved, which is what the network is currently focusing on.
This comes after GMA’s ratings fell behind NBC’s Today show.
But Good Morning America isn’t the only show impacted.
Good Morning America anchors
Good Morning America airs on ABC from 7-9am EST, Monday through Friday. The show has a panel of anchors who discuss the week’s events and current news. The anchors who appear on the morning show include:
Robin Roberts
Michael Strahan
George Stephanoupolos
Ginger Zee
Lara Spencer
According to The New York Post, staffers at World News Tonight will also be affected amid the shakeups and layoffs.
Data news site FiveThirtyEight which accurately predicted the results of some elections, will also be affected amid the layoffs.
The entire site is said to be in the firing line, with the entire site said to be getting axed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
All 15 employees at the data site are reportedly going to get made redundant.
This comes after parent company Disney reportedly planned to lay off around 200 people from its ABC News Group division and Disney Entertainment Networks unit.
Last fall, the network’s local stations were unexpectedly hit with 75 job cuts.
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GMA3 will reportedly merge with GMACredit: Getty
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Bob is the CEO of DisneyCredit: AFP
