A senior ABC News journalist is out at the Disney-owned network after the company’s human resources department conducted an investigation into his behavior, according to a report.
Joshua Hoyos, who served as ABC News’ New York bureau chief since 2022, has abruptly exited the network, according to Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter.
Hoyos, 32, formally parted ways with ABC News following a suspension — though the reason for the penalty was not disclosed.
The Post has sought comment from ABC News and Hoyos.
Hoyos, who had been with the network for more than a decade, has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding his departure.
The Rutgers University-Newark alum joined ABC News in 2012 as an intern for “Good Morning America.”
Over the years, he rose through the ranks, serving as the weekend assignment manager and later the network news assignment manager.
In July 2022, he was promoted to New York bureau chief, overseeing news coverage across the East Coast, excluding Washington, DC.
Network chief Almin Karamehmedovic is expected to formally inform staff of the situation later this week.
The sudden exit of a high-profile journalist comes at a turbulent time for ABC News.
Earlier this week, The Post reported that one of the network’s top stars, “Good Morning America” host George Stephanopoulos, has been “miserable” after being forced to apologize in the wake of a defamation settlement involving President Donald Trump.
According to network sources, speculation is mounting about who might replace Stephanopoulos.
Rumors of his potential departure have swirled since December, when Disney agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit after Stephanopoulos erroneously stated on-air that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in a case brought by journalist E. Jean Carroll.
Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, not rape.
As part of the settlement, Stephanopoulos was compelled to issue a public apology, an act that has reportedly left him frustrated and discontented.
ABC News is also grappling with widespread industry shifts and internal restructuring efforts.
The Disney-owned property is among several major media outlets that are facing mounting pressure to adapt to the decline of linear television while making a decisive pivot toward digital platforms.
However, uncertainty around ABC News’ long-term strategy combined with concerns over potential staffing reductions has created an atmosphere of unease within the organization, Status reported earlier this week.
During ABC News’ daily editorial meeting on Monday, Karamehmedovic took a moment to acknowledge the five-year anniversary of ABC News Live, the network’s free, ad-supported streaming service.
But staffers raised eyebrows when he revealed that Debra OConnell, the Disney executive overseeing ABC News, was in California presenting long-term plans for the network to senior leadership in Burbank.
Describing her efforts as “fighting the good fight” for the network, his remarks fueled speculation that significant changes could be on the horizon, according to the newsletter.
OConnell’s meetings in Burbank stoked anxiety among ABC News employees over possible layoffs.
While no formal announcements have been made, insiders told Status there is growing concern that job cuts could be part of the network’s broader restructuring strategy.
Given the financial pressures facing Disney and the media industry at large, ABC News appears to be evaluating ways to streamline its operations and reallocate resources toward its digital transformation.
One of the focal points of this transition has been “GMA,” which remains a flagship program for the network.
ABC News executives have been working to boost the show’s ratings, which have lagged behind NBC’s “Today” show in recent months.
More recently, discussions have taken place about merging the “GMA” and “GMA3” teams, a move that could lead to greater efficiency but would almost certainly result in job cuts.
The challenges facing ABC News are emblematic of a larger struggle within the television news industry.
ABC News has reportedly explored the possibility of making “GMA” available on streaming platforms such as Disney+ and Hulu.
However, such a move would likely face pushback from local ABC affiliates, which rely on the show to drive viewership and ad revenue, according to Status.
Additional Reporting by Alexandra Steigrad
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
