Marc Burstein, an ABC News executive who has masterminded the Disney news unit’s special-report coverage of everything from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the 2024 presidential election, is poised to step away following January’s inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, capping off more than four decades on the job.
“I’ve had an extraordinary run and for the last 27 years it’s been my honor and a privilege to lead the special events team covering the most significant events of our time. It’s meant that not a day has gone by that I don’t go to sleep without first checking that my phone is charged and the ringer is on high,” said Burstein, senior executive producer at the news division, in a memo to staffers issued Thursday. “After producing literally thousands of special reports and countless planned events, the time has come for me to step away and sleep at night. How does one know when the time is right? To be honest, I don’t know. But it feels right. Another presidential election is behind us and a new headquarters building is ahead of us. After the inauguration next month, I will be retiring from ABC News.”
Burstein has become synonymous with ABC News’ coverage of unique moments. Just this past October, he was putting together a strategic plan for coverage in case tallying the results of the 2024 presidential election took many days until a concrete result was known. ““We are prepared to go from ‘GMA’ to ‘GMA’ if need be,” Burstein told Variety, vowing to supervise a full 24 hours of coverage on the day after the election if necessary.
He has deep roots at the network. He joined ABC News in the 1980s, working first as a producer on “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight” before taking more senior roles on programs such as “This Week with David Brinkley” and “PrimeTime Live.” Over the years, he has worked with everyone from Peter Jennings to Diane Sawyer to David Muir.
“Marc is the trifecta of television news — steady in the storm; creative and daring when it’s over; and always the road buddy and friend who never leaves your side,” said Sawyer in a statement to Variety. ‘Believe me, if you’re live on the air and falling apart, the sweetest sound in your ear is: ‘OK. Marc here. I’ve got you. Let’s go.’”
Last month’s election marked Burstein’s seventh as an executive producer of an ABC News Election Night report. He co-executive produced a unique 24-hour live broadcast on the eve of the millennium titled “ABC 2000” that was anchored by Peter Jennings, and ran a week of coverage in the aftermath of 9/11, when many TV networks dropped all commercials in favor of giving viewers non-stop reporting on the national tragedy.
“I don’t remember a time when Marc Burstein wasn’t in the control room, as consequential events were unfolding. He’s been a force — producing countless special reports and live special events for more than four decades at ABC News,” said David Muir, anchor and managing editor of “World News Tonight” in a statement to Variety. “He has been the very best at what he does for a long time, and we are grateful to him for his tireless work, incredible skill, and professionalism. He has set the bar — and I’m sure I will hear his voice in my ear long after he leaves the control room.”
Burstein, who has recently grappled with a cancer diagnosis from which he said he is recovering, intends to continue working with ABC News as a consultant. “I will continue to pop up on Zooms and Teams meetings, be on your speed dials and hopefully continue to occasionally see you in the halls of the finest news division we are all fortunate to call home,” he said in his memo. “I will be able to continue the true joy I have mentoring, supporting and cheering you all on!”
ABC News is considering how to fill his role, said Debra OConnell, president, ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, and Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News, in a memo. “So many of us have been in the trenches with Marc on countless momentous occasions — many exciting, some tragic — that have shaped our world,” they said, adding: “There’s no challenge Marc isn’t up to, particularly the personal ones he’s recently faced, and he somehow always manages to get the job done.”
