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New York Post
ABC names ‘World News Tonight’ producer as new president of ABC News: ‘surprise choice’
By Alexandra Steigrad,
5 hours ago
ABC has promoted the executive producer of top-ranked “World News Tonight with David Muir” as the new president of the news division — a “surprise choice” that ended a three-month stretch of the network going without a leader.
Debra OConnell, president of ABC News Group, networks and Disney Entertainment, broke the news to staff Monday, after a prolonged search for Godwin’s successor and rampant rumors that the network — which is in the throes of cutbacks — would opt to hire from within.
Almin Karamehmedovic, the executive producer of “World News Tonight with David Muir,” has been named ABC News president. Disney/Nathan Martin
In his role, Karamehmedovic will oversee the news division’s day-to-day operations, as well as its programming including “World News Tonight” and “Good Morning America.”
The appointment struck some at the network as odd — even though the producer has a strong resume. A source told The Post that Karamehmedovic wasn’t particularly well liked and that he had a reputation as a “bit of a bully.”
Others at the network applauded the decision, saying Karamehmedovic won’t be steamrolled by the correspondents at the highly competitive network.
“He’s very bright. He understands how to raise the ratings by giving people what they want,” a source said.
“He was a surprise choice but he was always in the running,” another source noted. Another added that the decision came as a relief to the rank and file, who had grown increasingly impatient for Godwin to be replaced.
“It took so long for her to make this decision that it weakened her as a leader,” one insider said.
ABC News did not comment.
Karamehmedovic has overseen the production and all daily operations of Muir’s “World News Tonight” –which has been the most-watched newscast for eight years — since August 2014.
Prior to “World News Tonight with David Muir,” Karamehmedovic was executive producer of “Nightline,” ABC News’ late-night flagship newsmagazine. He also executive produced “Nightline” in primetime for two consecutive seasons as well as numerous other ABC primetime hours, “20/20” specials and ongoing breaking news special reports.
Karamehmedovic has helped lead Muir’s nightly news program to number one for eight years. ABC via Getty Images
“I approach this role with great respect and humility, not only for the hundreds of colleagues around the world whose tireless contributions fuel the unflinching and unbiased reporting of ABC News but also for the viewers we serve,” Karamehmedovic said.
“Almin has devoted his career to ABC News, mastering every role and elevating excellence in journalism by connecting with viewers in a very meaningful and profound way that resonates with them,” said OConnell.
“He is a widely respected, seasoned journalist of the highest order who has worked his way up to senior executive producer of ‘World News Tonight with David Muir,’ earning the trust of colleagues and industry peers along the way. I have no doubt ABC News will reach new heights under his leadership.”
Sources close to ABC said OConnell was pressed to make a choice as the network readies to host its first presidential debate next month.
ABC News boss Debra OConnell was rumored to be considering several internal candidates for the top job. WWD via Getty Images
What’s more, “GMA’s” ratings continue to soften and there are a lot of contracts for on-air talent due for negotiation.
“She needed to name someone,” an ABC source said, noting that the network still has no vice president of talent, so putting into place a news president was paramount. “A lot of agents are frustrated” without any leadership in place to negotiate.
Under Godwin, ABC’s top-ranked cash cow “GMA” began to slip in the ratings. Although the show is number one in total viewers, it has sunk to second place in the advertiser-coveted demographic of viewers ages 25 to 54.
The exec’s tumultuous reign included running a “culture of fear,” as one source told The Post at the time, which elevated her “yes people” and pushed out high-level ABC execs who criticized her management.
Godwin had a tumultuous run as news president. She stepped down in May, months after OConnell was brought in to be her boss. Getty Images for The Alliance for Women in Media
Godwin first drew widespread criticism from many at the network as news spread of the salacious affair between “GMA3” hosts TJ Holmes and Amy Robach.
Details of the affair spilled out in November 2022, but Godwin permitted the “GMA3” pair to remain on the air, causing a spectacle which led to more news stories.
As more lurid tidbits came out, Godwin benched the duo and defended them on a Dec. 5 interoffice call, saying they “had not violated company policy.”
ABC launched an internal probe soon after, as more juicy stories were leaked to the tabloids about Holmes’ other affairs at ABC. After a prolonged suspension, ABC settled with the pair to exit the company for an undisclosed sum.
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