After Kim Godwin stepped down as president of ABC News on Sunday, no replacement has been announced yet. However, Debra OConnell has the support of the newsroom to lead the network in the meantime.
OConnell, who was recently appointed president of Disney Entertainment’s News Group and Networks, will be in charge of ABC News operations for now.
OConnell presided over ABC News’ morning meeting on Monday and mentioned that Godwin will be around this week to assist with the transition. It is uncertain if there will be much of a transition, since Godwin has been reporting directly to OConnell since February.
In a memo to staff on Sunday, OConnell expressed her anticipation of collaborating with the leadership team to chart a new course together.
“Since taking on this role in February, my aim has been – and continues to be – to equip this team with what they need to build on our achievements and uphold ABC News’ proud tradition as we move into a future full of opportunity and innovation,” OConnell added in her message to staffers.
Godwin announced her resignation from ABC News on Sunday evening in a communication to staff, stating, “I have chosen to retire from broadcast journalism.” memo “I depart with my head held high and hope the entire team continues to thrive,” Godwin conveyed to staffers.
Godwin was appointed as the network’s news president in 2021, making history as the first Black woman to lead a broadcast network’s news division. Before her time at ABC News, Godwin served as executive vice president of CBS News.
However, Godwin’s role at ABC News was complicated by the arrival of OConnell, who was promoted in February. OConnell spent the last three months evaluating the network’s operations and Godwin’s performance.
Upon OConnell’s initial appointment, Godwin mentioned to staff that the consolidation under her would enable ABC News to “better amplify the incredible work we all produce daily.”
In a memo As OConnell began seeking input from staffers about the existing leadership structure, Godwin’s position became more uneasy.
It was discovered that Godwin’s approach was notably hands-off, which allowed internal issues to escalate to a breaking point.
For instance, ABC News meteorologist Rob Marciano abruptly left the network on Thursday after being a regular contributor to weekend and morning programming for a decade. Although ABC News did not comment on the nature of the departure, Marciano had previously been prohibited from “Good Morning America” after making a colleague uncomfortable on set, according to Page Six.
OConnell was also dismayed that Godwin had not hired a replacement for the network’s head of talent, Galen Gordon, a year after he was dismissed, according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy. Staffers have also voiced concerns about the leadership’s inability to outline a clear plan for the network’s future as traditional TV continues to struggle in the streaming era. OConnell led the network’s morning meeting on Monday, mentioning that Godwin will be around this week to help with the transition. exited the network abruptly after spending a decade as a regular contributor to weekend and morning programming. While ABC News declined to comment on the nature of the departure, Marciano had previously been banned from “Good Morning America” after making a colleague uncomfortable on set, according to Page Six.
OConnell was also frustrated that Godwin had not hired a replacement for the network’s head of talent, Galen Gordon, a year after he was dismissed, according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy. Staffers have also expressed concerns about the inability of leadership to articulate a clear plan for the future of the network as linear TV continues to suffer in the streaming era.
