After nearly 26 years, ‘Good Morning America’ has officially said goodbye to its iconic Times Square studio, embarking on a new chapter in a different part of New York City. The popular ABC morning show marked its final week in the famed location beginning June 9, with the emotional last broadcast airing on Friday, June 13, before relocating downtown.
End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to Times Square
Since September 13, 1999, when tennis legend Serena Williams appeared as the very first guest, Times Square Studios has been the vibrant home for ‘Good Morning America’. Known as the “crossroads of the world,” the studio location became integral to the show’s identity, described as bringing a “Ray of sunshine” to the bustling area. Over the years, the studio hosted a wide array of events, from major news interviews and epic live concerts to emotional reunions, heartwarming weddings, and even humorous bloopers.
As the final broadcast drew near, anchors Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, Lara Spencer, and chief meteorologist Ginger Zee took time to reflect on their years and memories forged in the studio. Stepping back into the space evoked strong emotions. Robin Roberts shared, “I just remember thinking, ‘I’m a little girl from Mississippi and I’m working in Times Square.’ It’s just so majestic,” later adding that the co-anchors’ home base in the studio had become like a second home, reportedly bringing her to tears upon arrival. Ginger Zee recalled looking up at the stoplight on 44th street during her first days and thinking, “This cannot be my life,” a sentiment echoing her journey from a rural Michigan background to the heart of Manhattan.
Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos shared personal reflections from their dressing rooms, highlighting the photos that captured countless memories. Strahan felt photos were his biggest memory source, while Stephanopoulos noted how the passage of time was marked by pictures of his daughters, who were young children when he started and are now college-aged. He admitted he would “really, really, really” miss his office and dressing room. Ginger Zee marked the occasion in a unique way, wearing a colorblock dress she had owned for 13 years, since shortly after she started at the show, symbolizing a “full-circle fashion moment” as she packed up her space.
The final broadcast from Times Square featured superstar Alicia Keys and the cast of her Broadway show “Hell’s Kitchen,” performing a medley of hits, adding a celebratory note to the farewell. Lara Spencer termed it GMA’s “last bow” in Times Square.
The New Home: Welcome to Hudson Square
‘Good Morning America’ isn’t leaving New York City, but rather moving to a new state-of-the-art facility downtown. The show will now broadcast from the Walt Disney Company’s new NYC headquarters, officially named the Robert A. Iger building, located at 7 Hudson Square in downtown Manhattan.
This expansive new complex, encompassing an entire city block, is designed as a collaborative hub for Disney’s media, production, and innovation teams. It features three large studios, and ‘GMA’ will specifically broadcast from Studio C. This move follows in the footsteps of other ABC shows like ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ and ‘The View’, which have already begun broadcasting from the new location.
Why the Move? Strategic Relocation
The relocation is part of a larger, strategic initiative by ABC News. An ABC spokesperson explained that moving all ABC News teams to the new building is intended to foster greater collaboration and innovation across different broadcasts and departments. While the physical address changes, the network emphasizes that the core identity of the show remains the same.
When Does GMA Broadcast From the New Studio?
The ‘Good Morning America’ team began broadcasting from their new Hudson Square studio on the morning of Monday, June 16, kicking off a new era for the program.
Bittersweet Farewell: Team Celebrations and Future Plans
The departure from Times Square was bittersweet, but the team celebrated the past while looking forward to the future. Following the final broadcast from Times Square, the cast and crew gathered at O’Donoghue’s, their favored neighborhood Irish pub, which opened early to host the farewell celebration. Anchors Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan reportedly helped organize the lively gathering, which included toasts, cheers, and reflections.
During farewell speeches, George Stephanopoulos expressed nostalgia for the “tremendous neighborhood” of Times Square. Robin Roberts encouraged the team to anticipate “all the exciting new memories” ahead. Michael Strahan emphasized that the move was about taking the entire team and the “spirit of everything that we have here” downtown, asserting that the people who make the show are irreplaceable. The gathering also served as a retirement party for Gary Minor, the head stagehand and prop master, who concluded 37 years with the show, prompting emotional goodbyes.
The team is reportedly enthusiastic about their new Hudson Square home and plans to fully utilize the neighborhood and the new building for filming, aiming to integrate the new environment into the show’s dynamic. The first guest welcomed to the new Studio C was Diane Sawyer, presenting an exclusive interview, signaling the official start of ‘GMA’s’ new chapter downtown.
