ABC News is weighing a major shakeup at “Good Morning America” after the iconic broadcast lost its No. 1 ratings berth last season to NBC’s “The Today Show,” The Post has learned.
During 2025-2026, “GMA” amassed 2.8 million total viewers and 477,000 viewers in the coveted 25-54 demo — while “Today” reeled in 2.9 million total viewers and 612,000 viewers in the demo.
It was the first time “Today” was top dog since the 2011-12 season — when Matt Lauer and Ann Curry were co-anchors.
It didn’t help that “Today” captured a massive audience spike earlier this year as viewers followed the developing story of co-host Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother. “Today” also got a boost as NBC carried the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl this year.
But insiders also pointed to the fact that co-hosts Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, and George Stephanopoulos are rarely on set together. The trio is “never” in the studio at the same time, an ABC source noted, adding that “someone is always on vacation,” on assignment or working on another project, which has harmed viewership.
“Anchors are the No. 1 reason people watch,” the source said. “Anchor chemistry is everything, but Robin and George detest each other and Robin is jealous of Michael. It’s palpable. They don’t like each other.
“They can’t afford to keep all those anchors,” the person added.
Although their exact salaries could not be learned, sources said each host is making north of $15 million per year.
Reports of a tense off-camera relationship between the anchors have been well-documented, but the source said it matters now because the ratings are sliding and parent company Disney is looking to trim costs.
“They’re going to need to cut their salaries significantly — and no one wants to take a pay cut,” the insider said.
However, another source familiar with the show said of the trio: “They’re the longest running anchor team and they’re the best at what they do and it shows.”
ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic is “very concerned” and “very hands-on,” two network insiders told The Post, adding that executive producer Simone Swink could be on the chopping block if the show doesn’t turn things around.
“I have heard Simone is in trouble,” an additional source said, before turning to the show’s highly-paid co-hosts, Roberts, Strahan and Stephanopoulos.
However, a source familiar with the show said of Swink: “She holds one of the most respected and important roles at the network and is the best person to lead the show.”
Under her leadership, sources said “GMA” has lost its edge and has been relying heavily on sponsor-driven content that can turn off viewers.
One source pointed to a Sept. 15 segment with skier Lindsay Vonn, who sat down GMA’s Ginger Zee to talk about her recovery from a devastating crash at the Olympics in February. Before cutting to the interview, Zee said the segment is sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Images of Vonn in her hospital bed and her rehab appear on screen as the athlete explained that her doctor recommended she take Vertex’s non-opioid prescription pain drug Journavx.
“When you’re in the hospital dealing with so much, the last thing you need is to be in constant pain. Journavx for me was what able to manage my pain,” Vonn told Zee, before reciting a pharmaceutical warning script.
“If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you know, it can interract with other medications and there are other side effects like muscle spasms, rash, itching and elevated muscle enzymes,” she added, as a graphic flashed on the screen detailing the drug’s dangers.
“It’s really unethical,” a TV producer said, of the interview. “It looked like an editorial interview if you weren’t paying close attention. Advertisers are using the good name of ABC News to hawk their products — and the network is welcoming it. What a disgrace.”
“It’s really icky,” added a former ABC exec, who said that even though the story labeled the segment as an ad, it was disguised by the fact Vonn sat down with Zee to promote the drug.
Even though “GMA” has been selling products on air for some time through its “Deals & Steals” franchise and other things, a third former “GMA” exec said there’s been an uptick in selling — including segments that publicize new movies, product launches and cruise lines from Disney.
“There’s too much Disney synergy. Too much commercialization,” the person said. “I hate to say it, I love the show, but it’s unwatchable now and it’s unrecognizable.”
A rep for ABC News and “GMA” declined to comment.
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