George Stephanopoulos Continues with ABC News and Good Morning America
Veteran ABC News anchor, George Stephanopoulos, has successfully negotiated a new contract which will see him maintain his current role at ABC News and his position as an anchor on Good Morning America for the immediate future.
This development quells any rumors suggesting that Stephanopoulos, whose salary is on the higher end for a news anchor, was on the verge of leaving. As media corporations strive to cut costs, particularly those associated with high-profile talent, the duration of Stephanopoulos’s contract extension is reportedly shorter than the norm, reflecting the current climate in the television news industry.
The Los Angeles Times was first to break the news of this new agreement. Under his previous agreement, Stephanopoulos was among the highest-paid TV anchors, earning up to $18 million annually. His future at ABC had been a topic of much discussion of late, especially after Disney CEO Bob Iger approved a $15 million settlement, along with an additional $1 million to cover incoming President Donald Trump’s legal fees, alongside an informal apology on December 13.
Stephanopoulos is said to have been caught off guard by the agreement and was unaware that Disney had decided to settle. Following substantial backlash against the Disney settlement, he deleted his account on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he had amassed over 2.3 million followers. Representatives for Stephanopoulos directed all queries to ABC News, which has yet to comment on the matter.
Legal Action Against ABC News by Donald Trump
In a March 2024 interview on “This Week,” Stephanopoulos commented that “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury.” This was in reference to a jury’s verdict that Trump had sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s, which prompted Trump to sue ABC News.
Implications for ABC’s Good Morning America
Representatives of talent have been closely monitoring shows like ABC’s “Good Morning America” following recent significant cutbacks in the news sector. “GMA” has high overheads due to the salaries of its three main anchors: Robin Roberts, Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan. Stephanopoulos’ contract was up for renewal first, and it was anticipated to be a tense negotiation process.
The Battle for Ratings
Recently, “GMA” has been embroiled in a fierce ratings war with its NBC rival, “Today.” Last week, “GMA” averaged 2.69 million viewers, trailing behind “Today’s” 2.83 million average. “Today” anchor Hoda Kotb opted to leave the show, and although salary was not cited as her reason for leaving, many still saw it as a high-profile example of TV’s new austerity push when it comes to talent and production costs — particularly on long-standing franchises like “Today” and “GMA.”
Stephanopoulos’ Career at ABC News
Stephanopoulos’ last known contract renewal was in 2019 when he signed a four-year deal to remain at the network. This contract was extended in 2021, and new production duties were added, including a new political program for Hulu and four hour-long specials for primetime. Meanwhile, David Muir of “World News Tonight” was appointed lead anchor for ABC News’ special reports and news of national importance.
Stephanopoulos joined ABC News in 1997 as an analyst after serving as the communications director in the Clinton White House. He became the host of the Sunday public-affairs program “This Week” in 2002. In 2009, he joined “Good Morning America.”
FAQs
Who is George Stephanopoulos?
George Stephanopoulos is a longtime ABC News anchor and a host on “Good Morning America”.
Did George Stephanopoulos renew his contract with ABC News?
Yes, Stephanopoulos has renewed his contract with ABC News and will continue his role as an anchor on “Good Morning America” for the foreseeable future.
What were the terms of Stephanopoulos’ new contract?
The specific terms of Stephanopoulos’ new contract have not been disclosed, but it has been reported that its duration is shorter than typical multi-year on-air talent agreements.
What was Stephanopoulos’ reaction to the new deal?
Reports suggest that Stephanopoulos was blindsided by the deal and unaware that Disney had decided to settle the lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.
Credit: variety.com
