ABC News is facing a severe talent shortage following the departure of two high-profile anchors, TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, and a two-year gap in its talent leadership, PageSix reports.
The network is now struggling to find replacements for its top anchors on shows like "Good Morning America" and its flagship evening news program.
The exits of Holmes and Robach, combined with leadership shifts, have left ABC News without clear successors for major anchor roles, causing concern about the network's future.
The situation stems in part from ABC’s long-standing lack of a head of talent, which has persisted for nearly two years. Insiders at the network have expressed growing concern about the limited number of rising stars who could replace key figures such as Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan.
Holmes and Robach, considered among the last promising anchors at ABC News, were forced out in 2022 after their affair became public. Their dismissal left a vacuum, with sources within the company suggesting that their value extended far beyond their roles on "GMA 3." According to one insider, the pair were viewed as the next logical replacements for "Good Morning America," a major morning show for the network.
“Losing them at ‘GMA 3’ wasn’t the point. They were the primary replacements for ‘Good Morning America!’” a source said, explaining that their potential to step into higher-profile roles was overlooked.
The need for successors has become even more pressing as the network’s leading morning show personalities—Roberts, Stephanopoulos, and Strahan—each take between 70 and 80 days off per year. This high level of absence means ABC is in critical need of strong backup talent to fill the gaps, but the options remain limited.
Additionally, ABC’s struggles extend beyond morning shows. There is also concern over finding a replacement for David Muir, who anchors the evening news program "World News Tonight." Linsey Davis, who currently anchors the Sunday edition of the program, has been mentioned as a potential successor to Muir, though insiders believe she is not a fit for "Good Morning America."
Despite the challenges, ABC News did enjoy a moment of success when Linsey Davis and David Muir moderated a highly praised debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The debate boosted morale within the network, with insiders calling it a "proud moment" for ABC.
However, some high-profile figures were notably absent from the debate coverage. George Stephanopoulos, one of the network’s most prominent anchors, was missing from both the debate and election night coverage. Sources indicated that Stephanopoulos may be focusing more on his roles with "Good Morning America" and "This Week" amid contract negotiations, which include a production deal. His absence has led to further speculation about the network’s inability to juggle its existing talent with future needs.
The recent appointment of Almin Karamehmedovic as president of ABC News has also raised eyebrows. Karamehmedovic, who previously served as Muir’s executive producer, was a surprise choice to replace former ABC News president Kim Godwin. Many in the industry were caught off guard by the decision, as Karamehmedovic has a relatively low profile outside of his work with "World News Tonight."
Some insiders believed that Simone Swink, the executive producer of "Good Morning America," was a better fit for the role. Swink has been credited with her ability to handle high-profile talent and generate new revenue for the network. Despite the surprise surrounding his appointment, Karamehmedovic did receive praise for the ratings and success of the Harris-Trump debate, which was viewed as a win for the network. “It was the finest journalism on display,” a source commented on Karamehmedovic’s role during the event.
ABC News is still grappling with a lack of experienced leadership within its talent department. Many at the network see this as a critical problem that could hinder the development of new stars. “They have people who are good, but they don’t have the experience to deal with high-caliber talent,” a source close to the situation said.
The absence of leadership in talent development is particularly concerning given the high level of turnover among ABC’s leading anchors. While Robin Roberts remains the top personality on "Good Morning America," she has been described as someone who prefers not to engage in internal politics, leaving the door open for others to gain influence. David Muir, in particular, is seen as an increasingly powerful figure at ABC News, though his focus remains primarily on his evening news program.
