Lara Spencer is set to be on Good Morning America for a long time after the anchor signed a long-term deal with the top-rated morning show.
Spencer’s deal follows a similar pact with Robin Roberts as the show looks to lock down its talent for the future.
“You know you’re in the right job when getting up at 4 a.m. is a joy,” said Spencer in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter . “This was a simple decision; I love what I do, and I adore the people I work with. I am thrilled to be on this team and look forward to many more years.”
Spencer has been the lifestyle anchor for Good Morning America for the past three years and serves on ABC’s red carpet team covering the Academy Awards. She also appears on HGTV.
Good Morning America has been ranked as the most-watched morning show for close to two years, losing to NBC’s Today show only during the two weeks of NBC’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Good Morning America executives praised the contract for Spencer.
“We couldn’t be happier,” ABC senior vice president Jeffrey Schneider told THR . “Lara is a uniquely gifted anchor at the top of her game. She brings so much energy, fun and smarts to every single broadcast. She is beloved by our viewers with good reason.”
Insiders see the long-term deal as part of ABC’s effort to keep the No. 1 morning show’s on-air team intact. Last last year weather anchor Sam Champion left the show for the Weather Channel, but GMA has been able to sign long-term deals for Robin Roberts and now Lara Spencer, with negotiations in the works for a deal with Josh Elliott.
But it’s unclear if ABC will be able to find the same success with Elliott as it has with Lara Spencer. Sources say he is demanding a pay raise equal to that of Robin Roberts.
