Report: Debra O'Connell Now In Charge At ABC News

Embattled ABC News president Kim Godwin’s days could be numbered despite getting her contract renewed — as staffers quietly cheered her effective demotion, The NY Post is reporting.

The Disney-owned network elevated veteran exec Debra OConnell on Wednesday to helm a new division that would encompass ABC News — putting Godwin under her — amid softening ratings at top-ranked shows  “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight with David Muir.”

The move was widely cheered at ABC News headquarters with more than one staffer overheard saying: “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead,” as others “celebrated at the bar” and breathed a sigh of relief that the “dictatorial” culture under Godwin would soon come to an end, multiple sources told The Post on Thursday.

Debra O'Connell

“The mood after the announcement was very light and happy. People are relieved,” one source said. “They feel network can get back to its glory days with Debra coming in.”

The rejoicing came despite Godwin getting a three-year extension shortly after Disney announced OConnell’s new role, which will also include oversight of ABC’s local affiliates and cable channels like FX and Disney.

“This is the beginning of the transition [of Godwin’s exit],” said one source close to the network. “Everyone gets renewed and then dumped. It’s the ABC News and Disney way.”

“It’s called the cost of doing business,” said a former Disney exec. “Renew her. Guarantee three years of money and then let her de-select and decide it’s time to go write her leadership book, which she is planning.”

OConnell, meanwhile, turned up at “Good Morning America’s” studios in Times Square before the crack of dawn — just 12 hours after news of the shakeup — to greet the staff and anchors and to send a clear message that “she is in charge,” a source told The Post.