ABC News has inked Good Morning America and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos to a new multi-year contract, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The new deal and the high-profile settlement with President-Elect Donald Trump that was signed this weekend were handled separately, with no correlation between one and the other, a source says.
While terms of the deal were not immediately available, it will keep the veteran ABC News anchor at its flagship morning show for the foreseeable future, and news of the deal should end any speculation that his role at ABC is in jeopardy after this weekend’s $15 million settlement with Trump.
The settlement, which also included $1 million in attorney’s fees and a statement of regret addressing the comments that sparked the initial lawsuit, instantly became a hot topic across the media business, and bothered many staffers at ABC News, a source says.
The settlement was reportedly approved by Disney CEO Bob Iger. Both Trump and Stephanopoulos were set to be deposed in the suit.
Despite the controversy, the deal with Stephanopoulos is notable, as it will guarantee some stability for the flagship morning show, which also counts Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan as co-anchors. There has been speculation across the business that ABC would seek to try and pare down their deals, which are among the biggest in the TV business.
At the other network morning shows, Gayle King recently signed a new multi-year deal with CBS Mornings, while at NBC’s Today show Craig Melvin will succeed Hoda Kotb as co-anchor early next year.
The Los Angeles Times first reported on the new deal.
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