The most-watched programme by Americans, ABC's Good Morning America, was broadcast from Portugal on the morning of Thursday 20 June 2024.
With the Palácio da Pena in Sintra as the backdrop, presenter Robin Roberts went on air highlighting the history, architecture and natural beauty of our country. “It’s easy to see why Portugal is on so many travel lists. There is so much to see and do here”, praised the anchor, starting a special programme entirely dedicated to Portugal and for which she interviewed Americans visiting and living in Portugal.
The trip through Portugal began in the Algarve, at the entrance to the Benagil cave, in Portimão, a starting point to talk about the Portuguese beaches that attract so many North American tourists. Porto, Lisbon and Sintra followed with Robin Roberts trying to understand why so many North Americans – around 10,000 – currently live in Portugal.
The special broadcast featured plenty of Portuguese music, in particular fado, with Carminho giving a live performance of her song “O Quarto”. This is the same song that she performed in the film “Poor Things”, for which Emma Stone won the Oscar for best actress. Still from Pena Palace, Robin Roberts presented a variety of typical Portuguese sweets, including specialities from Sintra (travesseiros and queijadas) and Lisbon (the much-loved Belém custard tarts). The North of Portugal was not forgotten, with the Douro being represented by port wine.
There was also an opportunity to talk about cork and the products that can be made from it. The tour of Portugal ended with the anchor's colleagues in the studio - George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer and Michael Strahan - being offered various Portuguese specialities.
Topping the ratings since 2012, Good Morning America debuted almost 50 years ago, on the 3rd of November 1975. Since then, it has been broadcast continuously, from Monday to Friday, throughout the United States.