ABC’s Good Morning America is grappling with falling ratings and worsening conditions at its former headquarters as the network transitions to a new downtown Manhattan facility.
The flagship morning show has been losing ground to NBC’s Today, raising concerns among Disney and ABC executives.
The current building on the Upper West Side, which has housed ABC since the 1980s, is described by insiders as “falling apart.” Over the weekend, the building’s antenna was ripped off, with no plans for replacement. Staff still working on-site endure freezing temperatures, lack of Wi-Fi, and poor maintenance. “The heat is off!” one source noted, while another bluntly remarked, “It smells like crap.”
The poor conditions coincide with the building’s pending demolition. ABC sold the property in 2018 for nearly $1 billion but remained a tenant during the transition to its new Hudson Square location. Insiders say the current owners have little incentive to maintain the building, as it is slated for redevelopment into high-rise towers. Employees have faced mice and flea infestations, as well as broken elevators and escalators, prompting some to avoid certain areas. “The building is going to get condemned,” an employee predicted.
Meanwhile, GMA is struggling to maintain its audience. Reports of a ratings decline were addressed by executive producer Simone Swink during a recent staff meeting. Disney executive Debra O’Connell and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic have reportedly expressed frustration over the show’s performance.
Adding to the challenges, President-elect Donald J. Trump criticized the network during the 2024 election campaign, calling it biased and dishonest, even by corporate media standards.
