Over the years, viewers have often told the anchors, correspondents, and meteorologists that they feel like extended family members, and those relationships are taken very seriously. “All of the anchors talk about what a privilege it is to be the person who says, ‘Good morning, America,'” Swink said. “It’s an intimate time to be welcomed into people’s homes and to help them start their days. I think that creates a special connection.”
“Morning television is often a habit, an essential part of your day. So, if you’re seeing the same group of people every morning in your kitchen, or in your living room, you feel like you know them,” Swink continued. “And to a great extent, you do. Morning television is very personal. People on the air share milestones. We have a great clip of Joan introducing her baby for the first time, and all our viewers were there for Robin’s, not one, but two harrowing medical journeys. You really get to know people through that, because they’re not only bringing you the news and helping you start the day, but they’re also bringing their whole selves to [each broadcast]. That connection is unique in television.”
Indeed, each anchor has been encouraged to add a personal touch to their reporting.
“Before GMA and in sports, I was always answering the questions. Now, I’m asking them,” Strahan, a former New York Giants player, said. “My favorite interviews were ones where I felt I was heard and I was respected, and so that personal experience shapes my approach.”
