Update: Kim Godwin has officially been named president of ABC News by Peter Rice, chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content. Quotes from Peter Rice and Kim Godwin have been added below. Godwin will join the ABC News team this May.
- Peter Rice, Chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content: “Kim is an instinctive and admired executive whose unique experiences, strengths and strategic vision made her the ideal choice to lead the outstanding team at ABC News and build on their incredible success. Throughout Kim’s career in global news organizations and local newsrooms, she has distinguished herself as a fierce advocate for excellence, collaboration, inclusion and the vital role of accurate and transparent news reporting.”
- Kim Godwin, President of ABC News: “I have immense respect and admiration for ABC News. As the most trusted brand in news, they are to be commended for the extraordinary work and dedication of the journalists, producers, executives and their teams across the organization. I am honored to take on this stewardship and excited for what we will achieve together.”
It has been reported that CBS News executive Kim Godwin will make history as the first black woman to become president at ABC News.
Photo Credit: ABC
What’s Happening:
- The Los Angeles Times has reported that CBS News executive Kim Godwin has been offered the role of ABC News President taking over for James Goldston.
- It was announced back in January that Goldston would be leaving ABC News on March 31 after 17 years with the network.
- In his announcement, Goldston explained that Peter Rice, chairman of general entertainment content for Disney, asked him to help in the search for his replacement. You can read Goldston’s full statement here.
- According to the report, Goldston may have found his replacement in Godwin who had joined CBS in 2007.
- In 2020 Godwin helped to develop both the CBS News Race & Culture Unit and CBS Village, a multiplatform franchise to highlight content about diverse groups. Before joining CBS News, Godwin was a vice president and news director for 20 years at local stations in the United States.
- Although Disney nor CBS representatives would comment to the Los Angeles Times about the news, NBC News did report that she is currently in negotiations for the role.