ABC News Announces Major Changes: Dozens Laid Off, ‘Good Morning America’ Merges with ‘GMA3,’ and ‘FiveThirtyEight’ Data Site Shuttered

ABC News staff began clearing out their desks on Wednesday as layoffs were announced. The network is undergoing a restructure that includes merging “20/20” with “Nightline” and consolidating its “Good Morning America” productions. This change is part of a broader effort by parent company Disney to cut around 200 jobs across the ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, which means reducing about 6% of the total staff in these divisions.

Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News, informed employees of the layoffs through a memo. He discussed the need to streamline operations to better serve viewers and maintain ABC’s position as a leading news outlet. Karamehmedovic acknowledged that these decisions are tough and that the day would be challenging for many. He expressed gratitude for the team’s hard work and reassured employees of their talent and commitment to journalistic excellence.

Reports indicate that layoffs will take place over Wednesday and Thursday, affecting various employees, including those at “World News Tonight.” One significant casualty of the cutbacks is the FiveThirtyEight data news site, founded by Nate Silver, which gained fame for its accurate election predictions. According to reports, the entire site and all 15 employees will be let go.

In addition to the layoffs, ABC is set to consolidate “Good Morning America” with its third hour, “GMA3,” creating one production unit. This shift comes as the network faces considerable pressure to adapt to the changing media landscape, moving towards digital platforms while maintaining traditional broadcasting.

Disney is also trimming its workforce at its entertainment networks, which include channels like Freeform and FX. The broader struggle within the media industry to keep up with the decline of traditional television has prompted ABC News to rethink its operations and future. The company had previously cut 75 jobs last fall as part of ongoing restructuring efforts.

Amid these changes, there has been unease about the future direction of ABC News. Executives are focusing on improving the ratings of “GMA,” which has recently lagged behind NBC’s “Today” show. The company is also dealing with issues related to a defamation lawsuit settlement that involved prominent figure George Stephanopoulos, which has caused some discontent within the network.

In summary, as ABC News undergoes these significant changes, both staff and management face uncertainty and challenges in adjusting to the evolving landscape of news media.

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