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ABC News expands weekend streaming with ‘Good Morning America’ stars
The digital age has revolutionized how we consume news, and ABC News is at the forefront of this transformation. With the rise of streaming platforms, the network is making strategic moves to ensure its flagship program, “Good Morning America,” remains a staple in viewers’ weekend routines. Whit Johnson, Janai Norman, and Gio Benitez, key figures at ABC News, are now taking on additional roles to boost the network’s presence in the streaming wars.
The new weekend warriors
Whit Johnson, Janai Norman, and Gio Benitez are no strangers to the spotlight. As prominent anchors of “Good Morning America” (GMA), they have captivated audiences with their dynamic reporting and engaging personalities. Now, they are set to bring their talents to ABC News Live, the network’s live-streaming outlet, during weekend hours after 10 a.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance ABC News’ digital footprint and cater to the growing demand for live-streamed content.
Joining them in this endeavor is DeMarco Morgan, co-anchor of the afternoon program “GMA3,” who recently began anchoring weekend morning slots on ABC News Live. Together, these four anchors will rotate duties for programming that is part of “ABC News Live Weekend.”
A strategic move in the streaming wars
Seni Tienabeso, executive director of ABC News Live, emphasizes the importance of having top-tier talent on the streaming platform. “It’s our strategy to have all of our stars on ABC News Live, and it’s something that has already been happening,” he says. This approach aims to leverage the popularity of anchors like David Muir, who has been anchoring a 9 p.m. hour on ABC News Live during significant events, such as the Republican National Convention.
The push into weekends is one of ABC News’ most significant digital maneuvers since veteran Disney executive Debra OConnell took the helm of the combined unit of Disney’s local stations and national newsgathering operations. While other mainstream TV-news operations have focused on building a weekday programming grid, ABC News is pioneering a robust weekend schedule.
Karin Gilford, senior vice president of digital media for Disney Entertainment’s News Group and Networks, highlights the goal of this initiative: “We are one of the first in this space to go into these weekend hours as robustly in this manner. The goal is to bring our top-line talent into the streaming area and get in front of people with more hours of the week.”
Expanding the streaming footprint
ABC News has been steadily expanding its streaming programming over the years. Linsey Davis has anchored a regular evening program on ABC News Live, and the network has increased its live news programming to cover Monday through Friday. Special programming for Hulu and other Disney venues, often featuring anchors like George Stephanopoulos or Robin Roberts, has also contributed to the network’s streaming success.
The popularity of two-hour “20/20” broadcasts on Hulu has demonstrated the potential of streaming platforms to attract and retain viewers. This success has likely influenced ABC News’ decision to invest more heavily in weekend streaming.
Blurring the lines between linear and streaming news
Executives at ABC News hope that viewers will eventually see no distinction between linear and streaming news programs. Tienabeso notes that the network plans to utilize more of its anchors and correspondents from linear programming in its broadband efforts over time.
In addition to news coverage, weekend programming on ABC News Live will feature “GMA Life,” a weekly roundup of top lifestyle content from “Good Morning America.” This segment will include exclusive celebrity content, discounts from the popular “Deals & Steals” segment, and interviews with authors of anticipated books.
A new era of news consumption
As ABC News continues to innovate and adapt to the changing media landscape, the expansion of its weekend streaming programming marks a significant milestone. By bringing beloved anchors like Whit Johnson, Janai Norman, Gio Benitez, and DeMarco Morgan to ABC News Live, the network is poised to capture the attention of a broader audience and solidify its position in the competitive world of digital news.
The future of news consumption is undoubtedly digital, and ABC News is leading the charge. With a commitment to delivering high-quality content across multiple platforms, the network is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of its viewers. As we look ahead, it will be fascinating to see how ABC News continues to innovate and shape the future of journalism in the digital age.
