Robin Roberts Named Anchor at 'GMA'

May 9, 2005 — -- Robin Roberts, news anchor of ABC News' "Good Morning America," has been promoted to anchor of the morning broadcast alongside co-anchors Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson.

David Westin, president of ABC News, announced the promotion on Monday.

"For three years, Robin Roberts has brought us the news every morning, told us some of the most important stories of the day, and put a smile on our faces as we start our day," Westin said.

"In that time, 'Good Morning America' has expanded its coverage of news and information, and we've increasingly turned to Robin to share that responsibility with Diane and Charlie. I'm delighted that Robin is now formally assuming the mantle of co-anchor, something that she has more than earned through her wit, her charm, her intelligence and her warmth."

Roberts joined the broadcast as a contributor in April 1995. Since being named news anchor in April 2002, she has interviewed newsmakers and celebrities as well as traveled around the world for a wide range of stories.

Roberts reported from Kuwait in the days leading to war with Iraq, from Vatican City on the 25th anniversary of the papacy of Pope John Paul II and from the Reagan Library in California where she covered the death of the former president. One of her most memorable and moving assignments was a report on the famed Tuskegee Airmen of WWII, a unit in which her late father served.

"Robin is a treasure," said Ben Sherwood, executive producer of "GMA." "She's a life force who can truly do it all. Every morning, she lifts 'GMA' up with her insight, humanity and warmth. We all look forward to seeing her join our dynamic duo of Charlie and Diane at the anchor desk. Together with Tony [Perkins], this winning combination will make GMA even stronger than ever."

Roberts said it was a privilege to work with Sawyer, Gibson and Perkins, who is "GMA's" weather forecaster.

"I feel honored to be named anchor alongside Diane and Charlie, two of the most respected journalists in the business," she said. "They have been nothing but supportive since I arrived at 'GMA' and I look forward to working with this top-notch team for many years to come."

On Jan. 18, 1999, Sawyer and Gibson began co-anchoring "Good Morning America." At that time, the gap between "GMA" and NBC's "Today" was at 3 million viewers. In their first week together, Sawyer and Gibson cut that lead by 1 million viewers. In the three years that Roberts has been news anchor, "GMA" has continued to gain against "Today."

In recent weeks, "GMA" has cut NBC's lead to as few as 270,000 total viewers and for the first time since March 25, 1997, "GMA" beat "Today" in both total viewers and the 25-to-54-year-old adult demographic on Monday, April 4, 2005. This was the first weekday of coverage on the death of Pope John Paul II with Gibson reporting live from Vatican City.

Roberts began her career in television broadcasting as a sports anchor and reporter for WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Miss., and WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Miss., as a sports anchor and reporter. From there, Roberts went to WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tenn., where she won the "Nashville Scene" Sportscaster of the Year Award in 1987. In 1988, Roberts went to WAGA-TV in Atlanta where she was a sports anchor and reporter.

Since 1990, Roberts has been a contributor to ESPN, where she has become one of the network's most versatile commentators. Her assignments have included hosting "SportsCenter" and contributing to "NFL's PrimeTime" from 1990 to 1994.