ABC’s “Good Morning America” is set to add a third hour… in the afternoon. Hour 3 of “GMA,” which does not yet have a name or hosts, will begin airing at 1 p.m./12c (and PT), ABC News said on Wednesday.
Yes, that means “The Chew” is canceled — sorry, foodies. The daytime cooking show will air as planned through September, which is when it will make way for more “GMA.”
A third hour of “GMA” means “even more news, pop culture, compelling interviews and the program’s signature, epic live events,” according to ABC’s press release.
“Over the past six years ‘Good Morning America’ has solidified its place as America’s No. 1 morning show,” said Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney|ABC Television. “We believe there is great opportunity for viewers and advertisers in expanding to a third hour.”
“While this is the right decision for our business, it is also bittersweet,” he continued. “For seven years ‘The Chew’ has delighted audiences by delivering innovative food segments in an entertaining atmosphere. We applaud and thank Gordon Elliott, Aimee Householder, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and the entire cast and crew for their great work and amazing run. And we wish them the very best.”
“‘Good Morning America’ keeps finding new ways to inform and delight our audience,” James Goldston, president of ABC News, added. “We recently expanded ‘GMA’ through our social channels and a newly launched website. Now we will build a whole new hour of compelling content that is true to ‘GMA”s spirit.”
With anchors Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan and chief meteorologist Ginger Zee, “GMA” currently airs live Monday–Friday (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET) on ABC.
Michael Corn is the morning show’s senior executive producer.