Michael Strahan Leaving Live for Full-Time Role at GMA

By Mark Joyella 

Michael Strahan, who has been a co-host on Live with Kelly and Michael since 2012, when he essentially replaced Regis Philbin, will leave the show for a full-time role at ABC’s Good Morning America.

The news was announced in a memo from ABC News president James Goldston Tuesday morning. “Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast,” Goldston wrote. “Over the past two years on GMA, he’s proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers.”

Strahan was named a contributor to GMA in 2014, and has appeared mostly in the show’s 7 a.m. ET hour, giving him time to get over to Live, which airs at 9 a.m. ET.

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In February, GMA won its 15 straight sweeps months among total viewers while the Today show won its 3rd straight sweeps among younger viewers. Despite its total viewers win, GMA was down double digits year-over-year.

Strahan will leave Live over the summer, and begin his new role at GMA in September. Here’s the full memo:

Team –

I want to share some exciting news about our GMA family.

The deeply talented Michael Strahan, who currently joins Robin, George, Lara, Amy and Ginger twice a week, will expand his role to appear full-time in the mornings on GMA starting in September.

Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast. Over the past two years on GMA, he’s proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers.

He will end a four year run as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on LIVE!, where he has honed his skills as an interviewer with genuine warmth and a quick wit. At GMA he’ll now have even more opportunities to tell stories that inspire, inform and empower people.

Almost exactly four years ago GMA memorably broke Today’s epic 16-year win streak in the mornings. Since then, the team has battled just as fiercely to deliver great journalism when news breaks, from San Bernardino to Brussels; reported relentlessly from the campaign trail with over 100 interviews with the candidates; and embraced new technology – from VR to our GMA Wake Up Call – to supercharge how we connect with our viewers every minute of the day.

I’m delighted to welcome Michael to GMA each and every morning. I can’t wait to see what this incredibly talented team will bring our viewers next.

James

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