Kim Godwin Extends Deal To Remain President Of ABC News
The president of ABC News, Kim Godwin, has extended her contract to continue leading the prominent news organization. The announcement comes in the wake of Disney’s decision to promote Debra OConnell to the newly created role of president, News Group and Networks, Disney Entertainment, overseeing ABC News, the ABC Owned Television Stations, and Disney’s multiplatform linear entertainment networks.
Godwin, who joined ABC News in 2021, expressed her excitement about working alongside OConnell and Chad Matthews, reporting to OConnell as part of a new reporting structure. In a note to ABC News staffers, Godwin highlighted the collaboration and dedication she has experienced while working with OConnell and praised OConnell’s commitment to championing the best in journalism.
While ABC News continues to hold the top position in total viewers with programs like Good Morning America and World News Tonight, Godwin has faced challenges during her tenure. These include the departure of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach from GMA3 last year due to a scandal involving their off-screen romantic relationship. Additionally, Godwin oversaw a series of layoffs last year as part of a leadership team realignment.
Despite these challenges, Godwin expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead ABC News and her commitment to continuing in the role of president. She acknowledged the accomplishments of the news organization, such as the launch of editorial initiatives and emerging businesses, including Impact x Nightline and ABC News Studios. These initiatives have contributed to the significant increase in programming hours. ABC News Live and Prime with Linsey Davis have also garnered attention and success.
In her note, Godwin commended the ABC News team for their outstanding work, which has earned numerous awards and nominations, including Primetime Emmy nods, Peabody Awards, and duPont-Columbia Awards. She also highlighted the organization’s efforts to diversify its newsroom, bureaus, shows, and executive positions by recruiting and appointing an unprecedented number of people of color. Godwin emphasized that this diversity is crucial to ABC News’ success.
Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, expressed her admiration for Kim Godwin’s leadership and the exceptional reporting of the entire ABC News team. She announced that Godwin has renewed her contract and will continue serving as president of ABC News.
Walden emphasized the significance of the internal alignment that brings together ABC News, the ABC Owned Stations, and the Networks teams as one organization. She described this as a strategic move that demonstrates their readiness to meet audiences’ preferences and engage them through various platforms. Walden acknowledged ABC News’ long-standing tradition of serving its viewers and communities and emphasized that this remains their top priority as they move into the future.
As the news industry continues to evolve, the leadership team at ABC News is confident that their collaboration will further strengthen the organization’s position as the leading news network in the country. Godwin’s contract extension and the internal alignment reflect a commitment to delivering high-quality journalism and engaging with audiences across multiple platforms.
The announcement of Godwin’s contract extension and the strategic organizational changes within ABC News demonstrate the company’s dedication to maintaining its position as a trusted source of news and information. As the landscape of news consumption evolves, ABC News is poised to adapt and continue providing its viewers with the exceptional reporting they expect.
