Michael Strahan leaving 'Live' for 'GMA' (Exclusive)

Michael Strahan will exit ABC's LivewithKellyandMichael and join GoodMorningAmerica full time. The announcement was made Tuesday morning by ABC News president James Goldston. Strahan, who has been appearing twice a week on the morning show since 2014, will begin his full time duties in September. He'll exit Live, the show he joined four years ago and where he successfully extended his brand from sports analyst to daytime personality. He'll likely leave Live over the summer.

In a memo to ABC News staffers, Goldston noted GMA's snapping of Today's historic 16-year morning news winning streak. But it's no secret that GMA has had ratings challenges. GMA remains the most-watched morning news program. But Today has regained the lead in the critical 25-54 demographic, while GMA has sunk double digits.

See photos of Michael Strahan through the years:

Goldston's full memo to staff follows:

Team -

I want to share some exciting news about our GMA family.

The deeply talented Michael Strahan, who currently joins Robin, George, Lara, Amy and Ginger twice a week, will expand his role to appear full-time in the mornings on GMA starting in September.

Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast. Over the past two years on GMA, he's proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers.

He will end a four year run as Kelly Ripa's co-host on LIVE!, where he has honed his skills as an interviewer with genuine warmth and a quick wit. At GMA he'll now have even more opportunities to tell stories that inspire, inform and empower people.

Almost exactly four years ago GMA memorably broke Today's epic 16-year win streak in the mornings. Since then, the team has battled just as fiercely to deliver great journalism when news breaks, from San Bernardino to Brussels; reported relentlessly from the campaign trail with over 100 interviews with the candidates; and embraced new technology - from VR to our GMA Wake Up Call - to supercharge how we connect with our viewers every minute of the day.

I'm delighted to welcome Michael to GMA each and every morning. I can't wait to see what this incredibly talented team will bring our viewers next.

James

Check out more pictures of Michael Strahan in the gallery below:

More on AOL Entertainment:
We all missed the biggest hint about Ivy Park during Beyonce's Super Bowl performance
Patrick Schwarzenegger explains exactly what kind of pill he popped at Coachella
Blake Shelton reveals new album cover on 'The Voice,' teases it might be his last