Strahan has played the media game better than any other retired athlete I c
an think about.
Michael Strahan is leaving "Live with Kelly and Michael" and joining the cast of "Good Morning America" full-time, ABC said Tuesday.
Strahan has been a part-time presence on "GMA," appearing a couple of days each week, but now he'll be on the morning show five days a week. The change will take effect in September.
He is an addition to "GMA," not replacing any of the other hosts. The move is intended to shore up the morning show, which has suffered a significant decline in viewership this season.
"GMA" remains No. 1 among total viewers, but average viewership is down 10% year-over-year, and in the most important demographic, 25- to 54-year-olds, viewership is down 18%. The producers are under pressure to regain lost ground.
A senior ABC source called the Strahan move a "no-brainer," describing it as a way to "strengthen the team with a big star."
Strahan, a former New York Giants defensive end, has become a bonafide media star in recent years. Along with his roles on ABC, he is a co-host of "NFL on Fox" on Sundays, and that part of his portfolio won't be changing.
"Live" is in the same corporate family as "GMA." It is produced by ABC's local station in New York and syndicated by Disney's domestic distribution unit.
Michael Strahan is leaving "Live with Kelly and Michael" and joining the cast of "Good Morning America" full-time, ABC said Tuesday.
Strahan has been a part-time presence on "GMA," appearing a couple of days each week, but now he'll be on the morning show five days a week. The change will take effect in September.
He is an addition to "GMA," not replacing any of the other hosts. The move is intended to shore up the morning show, which has suffered a significant decline in viewership this season.
"GMA" remains No. 1 among total viewers, but average viewership is down 10% year-over-year, and in the most important demographic, 25- to 54-year-olds, viewership is down 18%. The producers are under pressure to regain lost ground.
A senior ABC source called the Strahan move a "no-brainer," describing it as a way to "strengthen the team with a big star."
Strahan, a former New York Giants defensive end, has become a bonafide media star in recent years. Along with his roles on ABC, he is a co-host of "NFL on Fox" on Sundays, and that part of his portfolio won't be changing.
"Live" is in the same corporate family as "GMA." It is produced by ABC's local station in New York and syndicated by Disney's domestic distribution unit.
