ABC News president Kim Godwin steps down
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Outgoing ABC News president Kim Godwin. Photo: Arturo Holmes/WireImage via Getty Images
Embattled ABC News President Kim Godwin has stepped down, according to notes internally obtained by Axios on Sunday.
Why it matters: Godwin, who joined ABC News from CBS in 2021, was the first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news division.
- In a note sent to staffers Sunday announcing her resignation, she said, "It's both a privilege and a debt to those who chipped away at the ceiling before me to lead a team whose brand is synonymous with trust, integrity and a dogged determination to be the best in the business," she added.
Be smart: For months, reports have described an increasingly hostile environment for Godwin within ABC News, as staffers began to lose confidence in her leadership.
- Sources told Axios that the main sentiment felt by staff was that Godwin was more focused on promoting herself as a leader rather than investing time with ABC News' staff and show teams.
- When longtime Disney executive Debra OConnell was named president of a newly created division overseeing ABC News and its local broadcast stations in February, it was largely seen as a demotion for Godwin.
- Since her promotion, OConnell has acted as a steady voice for ABC News staffers, who told Axios they felt unclear about the network's direction.
The big picture: Despite the drama around Godwin, ABC News' top franchises, Good Morning America and World News Tonight continue to top competitors in overall viewership.
- Staffers say that while the leadership drama was distracting, it didn't impact the news operations' productivity.
- The Wall Street Journal first reported on Godwin stepping down.
What's next: In a note to staff obtained by Axios, OConnell said she will oversee ABC News for the time being and is "looking forward to working with the leadership team as we forge a new path forward together."
