The television drama began on Nov. 30, when the Daily Mail published a photo-heavy article detailing the relationship between the two hosts, who were married to other people at the time.
The network initially chose not to take any action. Then, on Dec. 5, ABC News president Kimberly Godwin announced internally that she would pull the pair off air while she considered the best way to handle “an internal and an external distraction,” though she said the relationship did not violate company policy. A week later, Godwin told ABC News employees that the two hosts would remain off the air until a review was completed.
Network officials did not explain Friday why the decided to part ways with Robach and Holmes, but the decision came amid a drumbeat of tabloid allegations about Holmes’s other workplace romances, as well as claims that co-workers had complained about the pair’s relationship.
Holmes and Robach have served as co-hosts of “GMA3: What You Need to Know” since the fall of 2020. A veteran of CNN, Holmes joined ABC News in 2014. Robach joined the network as a correspondent in 2012 after working as a reporter and weekend anchor for NBC News.
The network had not provided any information on the internal review.
Holmes and Robach, who have been photographed together regularly since disappearing from the air, have both separated from their spouses, according to a source close to them.
In their absence, ABC has relied on rotating co-hosts to take their place. That arrangement will continue for now, a network spokesperson confirmed.
Before their removal, Holmes and Robach enjoyed an on-air chemistry that helped propel ratings for “GMA3.” In November, their last full month as co-hosts, the show drew an average of 1.57 million total viewers, beating similar programming on NBC and CBS.
This article has been updated with more information.