ABC News, one of America’s most prominent news networks, is reportedly facing an internal crisis as it struggles to maintain its star power amid a leadership vacuum.
The network has been without a head of talent for nearly two years, and the lack of succession planning is raising serious concerns about its future stability. With its aging anchor lineup, including Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan, ABC News is finding itself without clear successors to take over these flagship roles.
The departure of former “GMA 3” anchors TJ Holmes and Amy Robach has only worsened the situation. Once seen as the future of ABC News, the two were forced out earlier this year following a highly publicized scandal surrounding their romantic relationship.
Their exit left a significant void, and sources say the network failed to account for the broader implications of their dismissal. Holmes and Robach weren’t just hosts of GMA 3; they were being positioned as potential replacements for the main Good Morning America anchors, who frequently take extended time off each year. “You don’t get rid of people like that so quickly,” a source explained to PageSix.
ABC News now finds itself in a bind, not only for its morning programming but also for the primetime slot held by David Muir on World News Tonight. While the network has several strong correspondents, none are seen as stars who can take over major roles.
There are discussions about whether Linsey Davis could potentially succeed Muir, though she’s reportedly more likely to fill that role than becoming a morning show host.
Tensions between top ABC anchors have long been rumored, with rivalry between Stephanopoulos and Muir simmering behind the scenes. A network insider described it as a high-stakes competition for prime airtime and influence.
With Stephanopoulos focusing on GMA and This Week and Muir rising as the face of ABC’s evening news, the dynamic has grown increasingly fraught. Some insiders have noted private celebrations in Muir’s camp after Stephanopoulos became embroiled in controversy, particularly following the Holmes-Robach scandal.
Adding to the internal turbulence is the reported decline in viewership for World News Tonight. Following ABC’s coverage of the presidential debate, the show’s ratings saw a notable dip, with a 12% decrease in viewers. The average viewership for World News Tonight fell from 7.6 million to 6.7 million, a sharper drop than rival evening programs on CBS and NBC during the same period.
