ABC News President Kim Godwin has resigned after three tumultuous years in her role as Disney tightens control over the news division amid declining ratings for Good Morning America and staff unrest at the network.
The move was widely predicted after ABC’s parent company Walt Disney Co. had appointed one of his executives, Debra O’Connell, to oversee the news department, effectively taking away much of Godwin’s managerial autonomy.
Godwin was the first Black woman to lead a network news department and said Sunday she was retiring.
O’Connell is a business veteran and said she will be in charge “for now” after recently taking a closer look at operations within the Disney networks as part of a business review.
Since taking charge of the news department, O’Connell had been very hands-on and had presided over editorial meetings, often being spotted in the newsroom, clearly indicating that Godwin had in fact been demoted in all but name, the report said. newspaper. Wall Street Journal.
ABC News president Kim Godwin (left) resigned after Disney appointed an overseer, Debra O’Connell (right), signaling a shift in management dynamics
Godwin’s tenure saw ratings success, but there was also internal criticism of her leadership style and hands-off management. Pictured is Robin Roberts, host of ABC’s Good Morning America
Godwin inherited a news division where its two flagship programs, World News Tonight and Good Morning America, led rivals at CBS and NBC in the ratings.
Despite being a ratings leader, the culture within ABC News was said to be both toxic and cutthroat.
While both news programs still hold the lead, Good Morning America has seen some slippage amid the messy departures of hosts TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, and Cecilia Vega’s jump to CBS News.
In recent months, GMA has seen a noticeable decline in ratings among viewers ages 25 to 54 — the demographic group most coveted by advertisers.
For example, during the five days beginning April 22, GMA averaged 497,000 viewers in that age range — just 49,000 more than CBS Mornings, which previously lagged behind in third place.
NBC’s Today averaged 659,000 visitors in that demographic.
O’Connell is a business veteran and said she will be in charge “for now” after recently reviewing operations within the Disney networks as part of a business review
While both news programs still hold the lead, Good Morning America has seen some slippage amid the messy departures of hosts TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, and Cecilia Vega’s jump to CBS News.
Godwin became a polarizing figure within the network. She was recruited as an outsider to CBS News, where she had served as executive vice president, senior broadcast producer and executive director of development and diversity.
Godwin’s arrival at ABC was plagued by grumblings about her management style that appeared in print.
Some current and former ABC News staffers criticized her for not being as present in the day-to-day business compared to her predecessors, noting that she seemed more focused on raising her profile than running the daily news operation , reports WJ.
She was accused of being too distant from the staff of several ABC News brands, which also includes daytime shows like The View and The Tamron Hall Show.
The flagship ABC morning news show will move to a new Walt Disney building in Hudson Square in 2025
Godwin announced her departure in an email to staff.
“I have decided to retire from journalism,” Godwin wrote.
“Anyone who is passionate about what we do knows that there is no other company like it, so this was not an easy or quick decision. But after much consideration, I am confident this is the right choice for me as I look to the future and prioritize what is most important to me and my family.”
In the letter to staff members, Godwin said she understood and appreciated the significance of being the first Black woman to play such a prominent role in news.
“It is both a privilege and a debt for those who raised the ceiling before me to lead a team whose brand is synonymous with trust, integrity and a dogged determination to be the best in the business,” she wrote .
“ABC News was No. 1 when I joined the team and I’m proud to say we’re still No. 1.”
Good Morning America will soon leave its iconic Times Square studio in New York
After stints at ABC, CBS, NBC and 10 local news stations in nine cities, Godwin says she is quitting the company.
“I leave with my head held high and wish the entire team the best of luck,” she wrote.
In her own email to staff, O’Connell wrote how Godwin “guided this team through important times in our world, and she did so with respect for the brand and the profession – and for that and more, we thank her.”