Disney's ABC News is in the middle of major changes. The network is considering consolidating its Good Morning America and GMA3 teams, which could lead to layoffs, per The Daily Mail.
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These talks came to light late Monday, just hours after insiders revealed George Stephanopoulos, a longtime anchor, is reportedly "miserable" at the network.
Earlier that day, ABC News Chief Almin Karamehmedovic marked five years since the launch of the ABC News Live streaming service.
While celebrating the milestone, Karamehmedovic also noted that Debra O'Connell, the Disney exec overseeing ABC News, was in Southern California, pitching her long-term plans to higher-ups.
The news comes as the network faces the same challenges as other media outlets -- as in, declining ratings. Insiders told Status' Oliver Darcy that Karamehmedovic reassured staff, saying O'Connell was out in LA "fighting the good fight" for ABC News.
More Layoffs
But the timing of these comments raised some eyebrows. Media companies like CNN and NBC News are already cutting jobs as they shift toward digital platforms. CNN, for example, laid off nearly 200 employees recently, pushing the company further into the digital age.
ABC News, too, has undergone layoffs. Just months ago, the network shed 75 staff members as part of ongoing restructuring by its parent company, Disney. Those layoffs reflect the broader trend across the media industry, where cable news is losing ground to streaming and digital platforms.
But ABC News is now considering a significant pivot toward streaming. They've floated the idea of streaming GMA -- its top-rated program -- on platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.
However, this plan has faced pushback from ABC's local affiliates. Those stations rely heavily on GMA for both viewership and ad revenue, making any shift to digital a delicate process.
The uncertainty surrounding ABC News' future has left staffers nervous. Though Karamehmedovic's reassurances were meant to calm fears, insiders believe they've had the opposite effect.
ABC News Issues
As Darcy pointed out, O'Connell's meetings with Disney's top brass carry extra weight during a time when the network's future is uncertain.
ABC News, along with other major networks, is at a crossroads. The shift toward streaming is inevitable, but it's fraught with complications. For now, no specific names have been mentioned as possible layoffs. However, the uncertainty looms large. As the industry shifts, ABC News and its competitors are scrambling to adjust -- and some of their most high-profile employees may find themselves caught in the middle.
