George Stephanopoulos Named 'Good Morning America' Anchor

Dec. 10, 2009— -- George Stephanopoulos has been named the new anchor of "Good Morning America," ABC News President David Westin announced today.

"I'm pleased to announce that beginning Monday Dec. 14, our new anchor team at 'Good Morning America' will be in place and on the air," Westin said in an e-mail to the ABC News staff.

Stephanopoulos will anchor the broadcast with Robin Roberts and replaces Diane Sawyer, who will become the new anchor of "World News" beginning Dec. 21. Juju Chang has been named the news anchor for "Good Morning America" and Chris Cuomo has been promoted to co-anchor of "20/20" alongside Elizabeth Vargas. Cuomo has also been named ABC News' chief law and justice correspondent, reporting for all broadcasts and platforms across the news division. Sam Champion will remain the weather anchor on the morning show.

"In putting this new 'GMA' team together, we've pursued one goal," Westin said. "How can we best serve our audience? How can we bring them what matters most to them -- the day's important news, engaging stories, useful information and real expertise to help them improve their lives?"

"Robin and George are the right pair to lead our effort," Westin said. "As we've seen over time, Robin brings a warmth and intelligence to the morning that no one can match. Hers is a practical curiosity that brings the viewers' questions to the fore. George complements Robin's strengths with a deep knowledge of and commitment to news about the nation and the world." (Click here to read Westin's full e-mail.)

"I can't wait to join 'Good Morning America's' amazing team, and serve its loyal viewers," Stephanopoulos said. "No one can replace Diane Sawyer, but I'll do everything I can to match her unquenchable curiosity and intense commitment to informing the country every morning. What an adventure."

Stephanopoulos, 48, has been ABC News' chief Washington correspondent since December 2005 and host of ABC's Sunday morning political affairs program, "This Week With George Stephanopoulos," since September 2002. He will take on the role of chief political correspondent and continue to anchor "This Week" until a replacement is named, Westin said.

"I am so excited to welcome George and Juju to our family," Robin Roberts said. "The energy and talent of those on camera and behind the scenes at this program are second to none. I have no doubt that George and Juju will immediately feel right at home. Saying goodbye to Diane has not been easy, but I'm glad she will finally be getting more sleep."

In his role as anchor of "This Week," Stephanopoulos has interviewed President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, as well as other key members of the Obama administration.

Stephanopoulos Joins Roberts at 'Good Morning America'

During the previous administration, he interviewed every key member of the Bush administration, and throughout the 2008 presidential race he routinely sat down with candidates on the campaign trail and moderated Republican and Democratic debates.

"George is a formidable interviewer who brings the viewer a deeper understanding of the great issues of the day," Westin said.

Stephanopoulos has conducted several exclusive interviews with international leaders, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in April 2009, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

On the 50th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, Stephanopoulos anchored "This Week" from South Korea, near the demilitarized zone. In July 2003, his joint interview of Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer was the first time any sitting Supreme Court justice participated in a Sunday morning television interview.

Stephanopoulos' blog on ABCNews.com, "George's Bottom Line," offers breaking news reporting and analysis throughout the day. Stephanopoulos also continues his reporting and analysis on Twitter.

"This Week With George Stephanopoulos" has been honored with two Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism from USC Annenberg for its "On the Trail" series in 2006 and 2008.

For more than a decade at ABC News, Stephanopoulos has played a pivotal role in the network's coverage of breaking news stories. In spring 2005, he reported from Rome and contributed to ABC News' duPont Award-winning coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II. Following the explosion of the Columbia Shuttle, Stephanopoulos anchored a two-hour special edition of "This Week" Feb. 2, 2003. And on Sept. 11, 2001, he was one of the first reporters on the scene at ground zero.

Previously, Stephanopoulos was an ABC News correspondent, reporting on a wide variety of political, domestic and international stories. He joined ABC News in 1997 as a news analyst for "This Week."

Before joining ABC News, Stephanopoulos served in the Clinton administration as the senior adviser to the president for policy and strategy. He is the author of "All Too Human," a No. 1 New York Times best-seller on President Clinton's first term and the 1992 and 1996 Clinton/Gore presidential campaigns.

Stephanopoulos received his master's degree in theology from Balliol College, Oxford University, England, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude in political science. Stephanopoulos and his wife, Alexandra Wentworth, have two daughters.

Stephanopoulos joins Roberts, who's been a co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" since 2005. When not traveling around the country or the world covering breaking news events, Roberts is at "GMA's" studio in Times Square conducting interviews with a diverse group of newsmakers.

Roberts has also done extensive reporting around the globe. She traveled to the Middle East with former first lady Laura Bush, who was on a mission to raise awareness about breast cancer in the Muslim world; to Africa with former President Clinton for a first-hand look at the AIDS crisis in that part of the world; and to Mexico, where she scaled the Mayan Pyramids as part of "GMA's" "The New 7 Wonders of the World" series. She began contributing to "Good Morning America" in June 1995.

Juju Chang Joins 'GMA;' Sam Champion Continues as Weather Anchor

Juju Chang, 44, will become the news anchor of "Good Morning America." She has previously been a correspondent for ABC News broadcasts that include "GMA," "20/20" and "Nightline."

Westin said Chang "has distinguished herself covering the news of every sort, from national and world events to the everyday experiences of parents and families."

Chang was awarded an Emmy for her breaking news coverage of California wildfires and had previously won a Gracie award for a "20/20" story on "Women and Science," a profile of transgender neurobiologist Ben Barres. Other stories include an hour-long look at the long-term impact of foreign adoptions through the eyes of one American family and an inspirational advocate who champions the cause.

She also has a blog on ABCNews.com, called "Juju Juggles," about work, motherhood and the madness of everyday living.

Chang joined ABC News in 1991, and her previous assignments at the network include anchoring "World News Now" and "World News This Morning" and reporting for "World News Tonight."

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Chang graduated with honors from Stanford University, with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and communications. At Stanford, she was awarded the Edwin Cotrell Political Science Prize. She is married to Neal Shapiro and has three sons.

Sam Champion will continue as the weather anchor for "Good Morning America."

"Sam Champion brings his knowledge and enthusiasm to weather, climate and the environment," Westin said.

In addition to covering the national forecast, Champion frequently travels to weather-related stories around the country and the globe. Since joining "GMA" in 2006, he has reported from the frontlines of wildfires in California; from the scene of hurricanes in Florida, Texas and Louisiana; and from winter storm systems in Denver, Chicago and Boston. As part of the morning broadcast's "The New 7 Wonders of the World" series, Champion broadcast live afloat a raft in the middle of the Polar Ice Caps.

Champion is also at the forefront of reporting on the environment and climate change. In 2007, he traveled to Paris for the release of a groundbreaking report on global warming by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He regularly brings tips and information on how to be environmentally efficient and aware with his regular "Just One Thing" reports.

Chris Cuomo Named '20/20' Co-Anchor, Chief Law and Justice Correspondent

Since joining "GMA" in 2006 as the news anchor, Cuomo has reported live from the field on almost all major breaking news stories, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the school shootings in Pennsylvania and at Virginia Tech, the Fort Hood massacre and the Sago mine collapse in West Virginia.

Cuomo, 39, also played a role in "Good Morning America's" coverage of the 2008 presidential election, reporting live throughout the major primaries and the general election, as well as interviewing the major candidates.

During the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks, Cuomo was one of the first reporters on the scene and has covered the resulting war on terrorism from Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan and other regional sites.

He reported live from Baghdad, Iraq, shortly after experiencing a massive IED attack. His latest international trip to Egypt included covering the expectations and reaction of the Muslim world surrounding Obama's visit.

Cuomo's investigative reporting has included such subjects as national drug issues, medical insurance scams, prescription drugs and the Duke University lacrosse scandal.

"Chris Cuomo has done it all, from newscasts in the morning to covering major events from the field (around the country and around the world), to powerful primetime reporting," Westin said. "He will continue to be one of the first people we turn to when news happens."

Cuomo has received more than a dozen journalism awards, including the Loeb Award for business reporting, as well as multiple Emmy nominations and awards. A New York native and licensed attorney, Cuomo received his law degree from the Fordham University School of Law in New York City, and his undergraduate degree from Yale University. Cuomo resides in New York City with his wife and two children.

Stephanopoulos will take over as co-anchor of "GMA" as Diane Sawyer leaves the show to assume the anchor duties at "World News." Sawyer is succeeding Charles Gibson, 66, who announced in September his plans to step down from the anchor desk at "World News" and retire from full-time employment at ABC News. Gibson began anchoring "World News" in May 2006 and has worked for the news division for 34 years.

Sawyer, 63, joined ABC News in February 1989, as co-anchor of "Primetime." In addition to that assignment, she was named co-anchor of "Good Morning America" in January 1999.

'Good Morning America' Through the Years

Sawyer has interviewed every president since President George H. W. Bush, including President Obama, and has handled an array of breaking news and special events, including Sept. 11 and the 2008 presidential election. She brought morning viewers live and exclusive reports from inside North Korea, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

"One cannot describe all that she has done for 'GMA;' nor can we fully express our gratitude," Westin said. "The best way to honor what Diane has done -- and what Charlie did before and with her -- is to continue the great tradition while building on the foundation they have laid. This new team will do just that."

Click here for coverage of Diane Sawyer's last week on "GMA."

"Good Morning America" premiered Nov. 3, 1975, with co-anchors David Hartman and Nancy Dussault. Over the years, the broadcast's anchors have also included Charles Gibson, Joan Lunden, Sandy Hill, Lisa McRee and Kevin Newman. Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts made network television history as the first female co-anchor team.

Click here for photos of "GMA's" anchors through the years.

"GMA" was the first morning show to broadcast live from the Pentagon, from the FBI's training facility in Quantico, Va.; and from the Centers for Disease Control's command center tracking the H1N1 virus. The show also broadcast live from a moving train when "GMA" hit the rails as part of ABC News' "50 States in 50 Days" initiative.

"Good Morning America" was honored with Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program in 2007, 2008 and 2009.