GMA's Affiliate Model: How Deals & Steals Turn Broadcast into Commerce Every weekday morning, Good Morning America (GMA) contributor Tory Johnson hosts a segment that appears to offer viewers exclusive discounts on products like Aerothotic, Chomps, and Color Wow, often slashing prices by 50% to 80%. These deals, showcased on-air and live on GMADeals.com, are not just promotional content—they are a core part of ABC’s affiliate commerce strategy. While the segment’s surface-level purpose is to provide savings, its underlying structure is a carefully engineered business model that generates revenue for ABC, brands, and Tory Johnson through affiliate commissions. The disclosure that “ABC and Tory Johnson will receive a commission for purchases made through these links” is not an afterthought but the foundation of the operation. The Deals & Steals segment, which has aired since 2011, operates as a hybrid of editorial content and affiliate marketing. Brands partnering with the segment must offer exclusive discounts—typically 50% or more off retail prices—to ensure viewers receive deals unavailable elsewhere. These deals are tied to a 24- to 72-hour window or until inventory is depleted, creating urgency for consumers. GMADeals.com serves as the central hub, directing buyers to each brand’s website via tracked affiliate links. The segment’s structure ensures that ABC earns ad placement value and affiliate revenue, while brands gain national broadcast exposure with a direct purchase path. If a brand’s inventory is not fully sold, it is returned, ensuring a guaranteed sell-through. This model is a three-way transaction: viewers receive discounts they cannot access elsewhere, brands secure national visibility with a guaranteed sales pathway, and ABC generates both ad revenue and affiliate income.#abc #good_morning_america #disney #tory_johnson #gmadeals_com
