Michael Strahan to expand role on 'Good Morning America,' end 4-year run on 'LIVE with Kelly and Michael'

Strahan joining most watched morning newscast in America full-time starting in September

ABC News today announced special correspondent Michael Strahan is expanding his role on "Good Morning America." Starting in September, he'll appear on the most watched morning newscast in America full time as co-anchor.

Since 2014, Strahan has joined the "GMA" team twice a week while co-hosting "LIVE with Kelly and Michael." As he takes on his new duties at "GMA," he'll end a four-year run at the leading daytime talk show.

In 2012, Strahan was chosen to co-host "LIVE" after a 10-month search for a replacement for Regis Philbin. "LIVE" will kick off the search for a new co-host when the new season begins in the fall. 

"Over the past two years on 'GMA,' Michael's proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans and all kinds of newsmakers to a host of modern American cultural icons," said James Goldston, president of ABC News. "He is a great modern thinker and leader and, with our brilliant team in front of and behind the cameras, he will help us drive forward into a very exciting future."

Strahan has brought "GMA" viewers a wide range of interviews and stories, from a remarkable reunion of two green berets who survived a firefight in Afghanistan to a visit with Jennifer Lopez to her childhood neighborhood. 

"I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible team at 'GMA.' It is an exciting opportunity to be able to bring unique stories and voices to the audience," Strahan said.

He added, "My time with 'LIVE with Kelly and Michael' has been transformative, and my departure will be bittersweet. Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I've received from all of the fans." 

This season "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" is the No. 1 entertainment daytime talk show in households (2.9 rating) and the key daytime demographic of women 25-54 (1.4 rating-tie). Overall, the show is second among syndicated talkers, behind only perennial No. 1 "Dr. Phil" this season. In 2015, Ripa and Strahan won an Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts. The show was recently renewed through 2020.

Season to date "GMA" is the No. 1 morning newscast, taking the top spot at this point of the season for the fourth consecutive year. "GMA" has won the past 15 quarters in overall viewers and, for the recently concluded first quarter, "GMA" grew compared to the previous quarter in all key target demos.

Upon his retirement in 2008 from the NFL, where he played for 15 years for the New York Giants, Strahan began his career in television as an analyst for FOX Sports. He will remain a co-host of the "NFL on FOX."