New York CNN —
TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, the hosts of the third hour of ABC’s flagship morning show Good Morning America, are leaving ABC News, network president Kim Godwin announced in a memo to employees Friday night.
“I know this has been a distraction for so many of us, but let’s not forget all the great work that continues to make ABC News the #1 news network in America, and that’s up to you,” Godwin wrote in the obtained memo from CNN. “I want to thank you again for your patience and professionalism during this time.”
A decision on who will co-anchor ABC’s “GMA3” and ABC’s “20/20” — co-anchored by Robach — will come later, Godwin said.
“After several productive discussions with Amy Robach and TJ Holmes about various options, we all agreed that walking away from ABC News is best for everyone,” an ABC News spokesman said in a statement Friday night. “We recognize their talent and dedication over the years and are grateful for their contributions.”
A person familiar with the matter said the network was negotiating an exit with Holmes and Robach this week, and talks advanced to the final stages on Friday.
“There’s a lot of frustration on all sides that it could have been handled better,” the person said.
Their exit comes after Holmes and Robach were taken off the air last month after a Chron report revealed the pair appeared to be involved in a romantic relationship.
In a memo sent to network staff at the time, Godwin announced that the moderators would remain off the air pending the results of an internal review.
Godwin called the matter an “internal and external distraction” and urged employees not to “gossip” about the matter while at work.
While the couple didn’t air on GMA3, a rotating cast of hosts for Robach and Holmes filled the program.