Good Morning America shakeup sees two hosts exit after controversial replacement

GMA3 co-hosts DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim have announced their departure from ABC News, which is planning a Good Morning America merger amid cutbacks and layoffs

DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim are leaving GMA3(Image: ABC)

ABC News has revealed plans for a Good Morning America merger following Monday’s announcement that co-hosts DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim are leaving GMA3. The two anchors have hosted the program since 2023 along with Jennifer Ashton, who departed the network last year.

The Disney-owned network is planning on combining Good Morning America and its spinoff GMA3, in hopes of drawing in Good Morning America viewers during the GMA3 hour.

In the meantime, the show is continuing to air with members of the Good Morning America “extended family” serving as guest hosts, including Lara Spencer, Will Reeve, Gio Benitez, Sam Champion, Rachel Scott, and James Longman.

DeMarco and Eva took over the 1 PM slot for Amy Robach and TJ Holmes after their clandestine relationship while they were married to other people rocked the network. The controversial couple was fired from GMA3 in early 2023, shortly after their affair became public.

The co-hosts took over for Amy Robach and TJ Holmes in 2023(Image: ABC via Getty Images)

Eva is leaving to host Inside Edition. “Anchoring ‘Inside Edition’ is truly a dream job,” the 42-year-old said on Monday. “I have been an avid viewer and fan of the show for many years. I’m pinching myself that I get to work with this amazing team. It’s truly an honor to join a show with such a long, rich history.”

According to a staff memo written by ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic, DeMarco “has decided to begin a new journey and will be departing ABC News. “

Last year, Almin announced a budget-friendly restructuring of the news division, with Cat McKenzie’s exit as executive producer and Simon Swink, executive producer of Good Morning America, taking over as showrunner.

In March, the news channel laid off several GMA3 staff and consolidated its production under GMA, which left viewers concerned not only about the future of the program but also about Eva and DeMarco.

Ratings have been declining since the shakeup, with execs desperate to restrategize and recoup viewers to avoid cancellation.

GMA3 has been through several evolutions and format changes throughout the years. The program was originally called GMA Day in 2018, hosted by anchors Michael Strahan and Sara Haines.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the show pivoted to focus on the pandemic with the title What You Need to Know, which later became GMA: What You Need to Know.

Its current iteration was part of a revamp that coincided with Good Morning America’s move from Times Square Studios to its new home within The Walt Disney Company’s new headquarters at 7 Hudson Square.