ABC is launching new live, local streaming channels from its owned broadcast television stations in several major U.S. markets.
The new channels—from ABC7 New York, ABC7 Los Angeles, 6abc Philadelphia, ABC7 Chicago, ABC13 Houston, ABC7 Bay Area (San Francisco), ABC11 Raleigh-Durham and ABC30 Fresno—will feature local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, stories from ABC’s “Localish,” and exclusive content available for free on their websites and streaming channels.
“We are the trusted market leader in local news on linear, digital and social media, with stations that are the most watched in their regions, and I am incredibly pleased to offer the communities we serve their favorite local news at their fingertips 24/7,” said Chad Matthews, president of ABC Owned Television Stations, in a statement. “We pride ourselves on listening to our audiences and delivering what they want in the most well-thought-out and impactful way. The launch of our 24/7 live and local streaming channels answers the call of our audiences who want more options and ways to view their favorite news and shows. The streaming experience our audiences will have is solely due to the incredible teams across our station group who worked tirelessly to deliver a streaming channel network we can now proudly share.”
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Matthews added that users will be able to access all eight streams from any ABC-owned station connected TV app, regardless of the market. “You are connected to all of our top stations through any app you choose to stream.”
ABC’s move toward streaming news comes one week after CBS rebranded and expanded its own streaming strategy. The newly named CBS News Streaming Network will feature live national streams, 13 local streams and content from programs like “60 Minutes,” “48 Hours,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” the CBS Evening News for Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Mornings,” and CBS Saturday Morning.”
At the same time, Fox Nation, Fox News’ subscription streaming service, has been around since 2018 and CNN+, a new subscription streaming service from the cable news network, will reportedly launch in March.