As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of news and current events, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of awe and admiration for Marc Burstein. His four-decade career at ABC News, during which he witnessed and guided coverage of some of the most significant moments in American history, is nothing short of legendary.

Marc Burstein, a key figure at ABC News who has skillfully orchestrated the Disney news division’s special coverage of significant events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2024 presidential election, is preparing to retire after the January inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. This marks the end of a career spanning over four decades in the field.

For the past 27 years, it has been my immense pleasure and duty to head the special events team, covering some of the most historic moments in our history. Each day, I ensure my phone is fully charged and its ringer set on high before going to bed, just in case. Now, after producing countless special reports and events, I believe it’s time for me to step down and enjoy a peaceful sleep. It’s challenging to determine when the right moment arrives, but it feels appropriate. With another presidential election concluded and a new headquarters under construction, I will be retiring from ABC News following the inauguration next month.

Burstein is closely associated with ABC News’ unique event coverage. Recently, he was planning a strategic approach for the 2024 presidential election results, anticipating that the tally might take several days to confirm a clear winner. He assured EbMaster, “We can switch from ‘GMA’ to ‘GMA’ if necessary,” implying his readiness to oversee continuous 24-hour coverage on the day after the election, should it be required.

He is well-established within the network, having started at ABC News in the 1980s. Initially, he served as a producer for “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight.” Later, he moved into more prominent positions on shows like “This Week with David Brinkley” and “PrimeTime Live.” Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous individuals including Peter Jennings, Diane Sawyer, and David Muir.

Marc is like a triple asset for television news – he’s reliable during turbulent times, innovative once things settle down, and forever a travel companion who never abandons you,” Sawyer stated in an interview with EbMaster. ‘Trust me, when you’re on air and about to collapse, the most comforting voice in your ear is: ‘It’s alright. Marc here. I’ve got you. Let’s move forward.’

Last month’s election represented Burstein’s seventh time serving as an executive producer for ABC News during their Election Night special. He was a co-executive producer for a one-of-a-kind, 24-hour live broadcast titled “ABC 2000,” which aired on the eve of the millennium and was hosted by Peter Jennings. Additionally, he managed a week’s worth of coverage following the 9/11 attacks, during which many television networks opted to suspend commercials in favor of continuous news reporting about the national tragedy.

As a seasoned movie critic, allow me to share my thoughts: “For as far back as I can recall, Marc Burstein has been the steadfast presence in the control room, overseeing pivotal moments unfold. He’s been an unstoppable force, crafting numerous special reports and live events for more than four decades at ABC News,” stated David Muir, anchor and managing editor of “World News Tonight” in a statement to EbMaster. “He has excelled at his craft for a remarkable length of time, and we are indebted to him for his tireless efforts, exceptional skill, and unwavering professionalism. He has truly set the bar high, and I suspect I’ll still hear his voice in my ear long after he steps away from the control room.

Following a recent cancer diagnosis that he is currently recovering from, Burstein plans to carry on collaborating with ABC News as a consultant. In his memo, he expressed, “I’ll keep appearing in Zoom and Teams meetings, stay easily reachable via your speed dials, and hopefully run into you occasionally in the halls of our esteemed news division. I look forward to continuing the pleasure I take in mentoring, assisting, and encouraging each one of you!

ABC News is contemplating how to replace Marc in his position, as stated by Debra O’Connell, President of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, along with Almin Karamehmedovic, President of ABC News, in a memo. “We have fought alongside Marc during numerous significant events – some exhilarating, others heart-wrenching – that have impacted our world,” they said, also mentioning: “Marc is always ready to tackle any challenge, especially the personal ones he has recently experienced, and he consistently finds a way to complete the task at hand.

Read More

2024-12-05 17:17