“GMA3: What You Need to Know” co-anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach are exiting ABC after news of a romantic relationship between the pair surfaced publicly and an investigation was launched by the network.
“After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes about different options, we all agreed it’s best for everyone that they move on from ABC News,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions.”
The official statement comes after sources told TMZ that an “extremely contentious” mediation session was held on Thursday. The outlet noted that Robach and Holmes will receive payouts per their contracts.
ABC News president Kim Godwin launched an internal investigation and took Holmes and Robach off the air in December.
Holmes has been with ABC News since 2014, while Robach joined in 2012. They’ve both been on “GMA3” since 2020.
The pair’s romantic relationship was first revealed by The Daily Mail in December. Both were married, though they have each reportedly separated from their partners.
The third hour of “Good Morning America” has always been the lowest-rated “GMA” block since it was launched in 2018. The show peaked in its current incarnation in 2020, when it averaged 1.9 million viewers, up from 1.5 million the year before. In 2021, the average was back down to pre-pandemic levels with 1.5 million, according to Nielsen.
Despite the slippage, “GMA3” has consistently beaten rivals “NBC News Daily” and CBS’ “The Talk” and leads in total viewers. Viewership shot up to 1.8 million on Thursday, Dec. 1, the day after the Daily Mail blew the whistle on their romance. Holmes and Robach were benched the following Monday.
For the first full week without Holmes and Robach, viewership eased back to an average of 1.65 million — an early, tentative sign that the show may continue to perform without its tabloid-fodder co-hosts.
TheWrap’s Sharon Knolle and Raquel Harris contributed to this report
