New York
CNN
—
TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, the third-hour anchors of ABC’s flagship morning show «Good Morning America,» are leaving ABC News, network president Kim Godwin announced to staff in a memo late Friday.
«I know this has been a distraction for many of us, but let’s not forget all the great work that continues to make ABC News the #1 news network in America, and that’s thanks yours,” Godwin wrote in the obtained memo. by CNN. «I want to thank you once again for your patience and professionalism during this time.»
A decision on who will co-present «GMA3» and ABC’s «20/20» — which Robach co-presented — will come later, Godwin said.
«After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and TJ Holmes, about various options, we all agreed that it was best for everyone if they left ABC News,» an ABC News spokesperson said in a statement. Friday night. «We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are grateful for their contributions.»
The network this week negotiated with the “GMA3” anchors an exit and talks have reached the final stages, the person familiar with the matter said. A finalized agreement could be reached as early as Friday afternoon.
«There’s a lot of frustration on all sides that it could have been handled better,» the person said.
The almost certain exit comes after Holmes and Robach were taken off the air last month following a Daily Mail report showing the pair were apparently romantically involved.
In a memo sent to network staff at the time, ABC News President Kim Godwin said the anchors would remain off the air pending the results of an internal review.
Godwin called the matter an «internal and external distraction» and asked staff members not to «gossip» about it while at work.
While the pair remained off the air at “GMA3,” a rotating cast of hosts replaced Robach and Holmes on the program.