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Tag: David Muir

  • George Stephanopoulos Promoted To ABC News Chief Anchor, Diane Sawyer Steps Down

    On Tuesday, news division President James Goldston announced that Diane Sawyer will be stepping down as a news anchor on ABC’s World News and will be replaced by David Muir. With Sawyer leaving, the TV network will be left with no female anchor in the evening news for the first time in almost 10 years.

    Sawyer, who has spent five years as an anchor on World News, will be stepping down in September. She will be concentrating on conducting major interviews and original reports. Muir, who is a co-host of ABC’s 20/20 will be the managing editor of World News starting September 2.

    “For many years to come, Diane will be a driving force at ABC News with her exceptional storytelling genius. She is one of the giants of modern journalism. Her curiosity, passion, and energy are unmatched, and I can’t wait to see where she’ll lead us next,” Goldston said.

    Although Muir got Sawyer’s chair, he will not be the chief anchor. ABC said that they are promoting George Stephanopoulos to chief anchor for ABC News. He will be in charge of handling all breaking news and special reports, aside from his duties on This Week and Good Morning America.

    The new arrangement is said to ignite a rivalry between Muir and Stephanopoulos. Reports said that Muir will not be satisfied with his new job as a “news reader.” As Sawyer’s replacement, many thought that he would get the chief anchor post, but Stephanopoulos made the chief anchor post one of the conditions on his long-term contract with ABC News.

    Goldston said in a statement, “We have an extraordinary team of anchors who are gifted storytellers and uniquely skilled broadcasters. For years to come, they will inspire us all to do our best work and set a high bar for excellence to inform, empower, and inspire our viewers.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Diane Sawyer Leaving ‘World News’ Anchor Desk

    Diane Sawyer is leaving ABC’s World News.

    On Wednesday, June 25, ABC News President James Goldston released an official statement in regards to the network’s upcoming changes, which include Sawyer’s departure.

    The news comes after months of speculation and rumors about the possibility of a transition with ABC’s anchor desk.

    At the end of last year Diane Sawyer started a conversation with Ben about one day stepping away from World News and devoting her boundless energy full time to a team which will create and commission original reporting, big ideas and interviews for all platforms,” the statement read.

    “As much as she loved leading World News to new heights – with so much important, brilliant and impactful reporting and a number one finish in the May sweep – Diane decided that now is the moment to concentrate full time on tackling big issues in new ways.”

    The network stated weekend news anchor David Muir will be Sawyer’s replacement. However, a first-of-its-kind replacement arrangement has also been implemented.

    Although Muir will be replacing Sawyer in the capacity of Anchor and Managing Editor of the program, he won’t be the main anchor covering breaking news and elections. Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos will have the position of Chief Anchor for such coverage.

    The 68-year-old news anchor also released a brief statement about her departure from the ABC flagship nightly news broadcast, which she’s been affiliated with since December of 2009.

    “After wonderful years at ‘World News’ I decided it is time to move to a new full time role at ABC News,” Sawyer said in a statement. Although Sawyer will be departing from World News, she will continue to appear on a number of ABC News platforms.

    “I’ll be joined by an incredible team of journalists dedicated to enterprise reporting, innovative approaches to breaking news and new ways of thinking about big issues and events around the world,” Sawyer said. “I can’t wait to continue bringing more of my specials to primetime and appearing on all ABC News broadcasts, as well.”

    Image via Diane Sawyer, Facebook