ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic told staffers that GMA3 will remain on the air, while he outlined the news division’s restructuring, now completed after a recent round of layoffs.
Karamehmedovic wrote in a memo after a town hall meeting this afternoon, “This is not easy. The entire industry has been challenged, and restructuring the way we operate has, unfortunately, had an impact on some of our colleagues. We thank them again for their professionalism, dedication and meaningful contributions.”
The network’s news division was the most impacted by a round of layoffs at The Walt Disney Co. earlier this month. About 200 employees were impacted, or almost 6% of the workforce in the ABC News Group and the company’s entertainment networks.
Among the changes was putting Good Morning America and GMA3 under the supervision of Simone Swink. Cat McKenzie had been executive producer of GMA3, and the changes drew some speculation about the ultimate future of the spinoff show. At the town hall, Karamehmedovic said that the show was not being pulled, according to a source at the meeting.
As part of the restructuring changes, the network also closed its data site, 538, and G. Elliott Morris and its staff were among those laid off.
To staffers, Karamehmedovic outlined the now-completed restructuring, which occurred in two phases.
He said that the news division would be in three pillars, including 24/7 live and breaking news, signature shows and longform storytelling.
“We were called to journalism because we believe in its value in society,” Karamehmedovic wrote in his memo, which as obtained by Deadline. “The role of an independent press is essential, and we cannot take this for granted. For 70 years, ABC News has delivered exceptional reporting, interviews and analysis — this is why audiences turn to us. We must continue to prove our value to protect our future. We must earn their trust every single day by providing straightforward journalism.”
